The Moksh fallacy: Corporate leader Shaalin Tandon turns author during pandemic

Shaalin Tandon shares his viewpoint. pic/ATUL KAMBLE

From corporate boardroom to books, writer and corporate leader Shaalin Tandon's leap from profit lines to profound lines had its genesis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The slowdown was life-changing for Tandon, like it was for so many, the author explained at the launch of his debut book, ‘Worthless Superpowers: The Fallacy of Moksh' at the Bandra (W) bookstore, Title Waves on Friday, June 5, at noon.

As friends and family cheered and congratulations rang out at the event, anecdotes, some thoughtful, others humorous, and stories of a spiritual journey peppered that afternoon.

The Tandon family with the book at the launch. pics/ATUL KAMBLE

For Tandon, ‘Worthless Superpowers' represents a deeply personal creative journey shaped by observation, introspection and curiosity about the human experience. Tandon said, "During COVID-19, I found myself engaging deeper with questions around purpose, identity and the choices that shape our lives. It was because I had reached a personal turning point after two decades in the corporate world. The pandemic, when the world may have seemed to spin that much more leisurely, started me on an inner journey, one that had me craving an anchor and asking questions like: why am I there, what is my role/relevance in the world? Lord Shiva and meditation showed me that my thoughts are flowing freely, but why not fictionalise them? I always loved telling stories."

Engaging with his audience at the event

Tandon added, "Worthless Superpowers invites readers into a world where questions matter as much as answers. People may interpret the book in different ways; if it sparks reflection, conversation, or a fresh perspective, I would consider that its greatest success. The book talks back to you, and I hope you take away something personal from it."

Signings and spirituality at the reading

The interaction at the event was warm and engaging. The author's mother recalls her son, "who was very mischievous in childhood but always with kindness and compassion." His daughters stated, "They were the proudest daughters in the world." The afternoon closed with a signing session and much camaraderie, proving worthy superpowers are not about the profound, esoteric or need not be intimidating; they are about family and friendship bonds, memories and the courage of new beginnings.

The book cover

The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart and in bookstores. Worthless Superpowers: The Fallacy of Moksh, published by Verses Kindler Publications, Rs 459

‘We exist in the now'

Q&A with Shaalin Tandon

Your book began as an idea during COVID-19, but how long till it went to print?
Approximately twelve-and-a-half months; it went from ideation to writing and crafting characters, and it was about giving voice to the personal through fiction.

From corporate to the spiritual-philosophical is a leap into different waters...
From management and finance to philosophy, it certainly has been a jump. But I believe one can straddle both worlds, and like I bring a little of corporate wisdom to the book, I also bring some spiritual-philosophical perspective to the corporate world.

Why the fallacy of Moksh? Why is it a fallacy?
Simply because there is no letting go, the Universe is constantly moving, so moksh or liberation from that is a fallacy. It is not the future or why, but the now that is important; we exist in the now.