Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/Auckland: Viraj Deshpande, the son of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, has published a book dedicated to his father and based on his own life’s struggles, relationships, and migration experiences, titled ‘BABA: How We Carry Our Fathers. And How We Become Them.’
The book has been published by Lasavia Publishing in New Zealand and is receiving a great response from readers and critics. Viraj Deshpande is the son of the late Rajendra Deshpande (cricketer, bank officer and social activist) and is currently working in Auckland in many roles such as writer, cricket umpire, digital strategist and health manager. Viraj Deshpande has done his Masters in Creative Writing from AUT University, New Zealand, and he came to New Zealand from India in 2017 to pursue the same.
In the introduction to the book, renowned New Zealand author Mike Johnson writes that Viraj’s style is natural, friendly and welcoming. His writing is inspiring and full of honesty and humor. This book is many things: a compelling story, a tribute to cricket, a tribute to his family, a story of migration and most importantly – it’s a good read.”
In this book, the author who reveals the secrets of cricket, Viraj gives a detailed account of how he secretly managed the social media account of a former Indian cricketer for six years. For the first time, he reveals the real face behind the account of the cricketer, known for his snarky and blunt style on Twitter. The book also tells the exciting story of how he got this opportunity through a wonderful meeting in Mumbai.
Journey of business and writing
Before coming to New Zealand, Viraj had started a successful cricket website called criczest.com. In this case, Having a Start-Up Before Start-Ups Were Cool, he describes his business journey.
Key role in health management
He currently manages the clients and clinical team in the Hawke’s Bay region of NZ Health Group, providing palliative care to patients in their final days at the hospital. Instead, they provide essential healthcare services so that families can spend time together in a home environment. From waking up at 2 am to watch Test matches with his father to becoming the secret emperor of “Cricket Twitter”, ‘Baba’ is a unique blend of spontaneous and emotional stories of a cricket-crazy small-town Indian boy defying all expectations in life, avoiding conventional jobs, building a successful business before start-ups were ‘cool’, finding love, losing it, and finally listening to his heart and reaching New Zealand.
