As featured in Mint & Livemint by P. R. Sanjai.

The best book on leadership I have read: Alok Kejriwal

Alok Kejriwal, CEO and co-founder of Games2win, says ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ truly inspired him.

Alok Kejriwal, chief executive officer and co-founder of online gaming company Games2win, saysAutobiography of a Yogi is a book that has truly inspired him.

The book, first published in 1946, is an autobiography of saint Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952) and talks about his spiritual adventures. It has been translated into more than 30 languages.

“The book helped me focus, unbundle my creativity and most importantly taught me the power of relentless pursuit,” says Kejriwal, who is a serial entrepreneur.

Kejriwal has three other companies to his credit—Contests2win.com, Mobile2win.com and Media2win.com.

Mobile2win was bought by Walt Disney Animation Studios in China and private equity firm Norwest Venture Partners in India. Kejriwal says the autobiography is a personal favourite because it teaches the lesson that “to succeed in life, you need to blend knowledge, wisdom, grace and destiny with the guidance of a guru”.

The book discusses Yogananda’s encounters with well-known leaders and achievers from India and abroad including Rabindranath Tagore, C.V. Raman, Mahatma Gandhi and Therese Neumann.

“This book reiterates the role of a guru or a mentor whom we sometimes feel ‘we don’t need’. Also, the book explains the metaphysical aspects of life which we often shy away from, simply because we don’t understand them,” says Kejriwal.

The book has been an inspiration to many, including Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc.  

“Steve (Jobs) had only this book on his iPad till his last day (as per his official autobiography) and after reading the book several times, I can understand why,” Kejriwal adds.

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