Former IAS officer and author Vivek Atray launched his sixth book, Not So Randomly Yours, in Chandigarh and shared an important message with readers — true success comes from inner peace, strong relationships and mental strength.
The book launch took place at the UT Guest House and was attended by several important personalities, including former Army Chief General VP Malik, Haryana Chief Information Commissioner TVSN Prasad, retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon and Neena Atray.
For Atray, Chandigarh is not just a city. He said it has played a big role in shaping his life and career. While speaking at the event, he remembered the many experiences, people and institutions in the city that helped him grow both personally and professionally.
Atray’s latest book is a collection of 120 articles from his newspaper column called Random Forays. These articles were written over the last five years and cover many different topics such as governance, relationships, spirituality, sports, leadership, artificial intelligence and daily life.
The book gives readers a chance to look at modern life from many angles. Atray said the articles may look different on the surface, but they all carry one simple message — people should slow down, think deeply and focus on what really matters.
He explained that his new book is different from his earlier books because it focuses more on current issues while keeping the same simple and friendly writing style.
Atray said he wanted the book to feel like a conversation with the reader rather than a lecture.
At the launch, he spoke openly about his journey in public service and writing.
He also shared some interesting stories from his early years in the civil services.
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While speaking to the media, Atray recalled his time as Director of Public Relations in the early 2000s.
He said those were very different times compared to today.
Back then, there were no instant digital tools like WhatsApp, emails or social media for fast communication.
Atray remembered how press notes had to be sent to media offices using autorickshaws.
He laughed while talking about how much the system has changed over the years.
Today, information can be shared in seconds.
But back then, even simple communication took effort and planning.
He said these experiences taught him patience and the importance of teamwork.
Atray also spoke about governance, which is one of the main themes in his book.
He said good governance depends on good officers.
According to him, systems and rules are important, but honest and hardworking people make the biggest difference.
He stressed the need to create “institutional memory” in government systems.
This means preserving knowledge and learning from past experiences so that future officers can work better.
Atray believes this can improve administration and make governance stronger.
His experiences as an IAS officer gave him many lessons, and he now shares those lessons through his writing.
Over the years, Atray has become known not just as an officer but also as a motivational speaker and author.
His books often focus on self-growth, leadership and understanding life.
His latest book continues this journey.
Atray said the main idea behind Not So Randomly Yours is to help people find peace in a busy and stressful world.
He said modern life is full of pressure.
People are constantly thinking, worrying and chasing success.
But in that race, many forget their mental health and relationships.
Atray said overthinking is one of the biggest problems today.
He advised people to reduce unnecessary stress and focus on what they can control.
He also spoke about the importance of family.
According to him, strong family bonds give people emotional support and strength during difficult times.
Atray said mental toughness is another important part of life.
He believes people should prepare themselves emotionally for challenges.
Life will always have problems, but staying calm and balanced can make a big difference.
He also spoke about spirituality.
For Atray, spirituality does not always mean religion.
It means understanding yourself better and finding peace within.
He said people should spend time reflecting, thinking and connecting with their inner selves.
Atray’s message was clear: success should not only be measured by money, position or fame.
Real success is also about happiness, peace of mind and meaningful relationships.
“True success is not only outside. It is deeply inside,” he said.
His words connected with many people at the event.
Many listeners appreciated the simple but powerful message.
The book, with its mix of real-life experiences and thoughtful ideas, aims to guide readers through modern challenges.
Atray hopes that readers will not only enjoy the stories in the book but also learn from them.
With topics ranging from governance to artificial intelligence, and from family to spirituality, Not So Randomly Yours offers something for everyone.
At its heart, the book reminds people to pause, reflect and find balance in life.
In a world that is always moving fast, Atray’s advice is simple — seek inner peace, stay mentally strong and value the people around you.
That, he says, is the real key to a meaningful life.
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