Uday Shankar’s new book, Game Changers: Lessons on Resilience and Success from Everyday Heroes, shines a light on silent achievers. Published by Jaico Publishing House, the 236-page book chronicles the journeys of 18 self-made men and women who found success without privilege, influential connections or a safety net.

The idea for the book stemmed from Uday’s observation that public attention is often reserved for sportspersons, film stars, politicians and business leaders. “The media practically swarm around them,” he says. “But there are people driving progress in the country, whether in a state, village or hamlet, without any hype or hoopla. These individuals, deeply rooted in their communities, started with nothing and succeeded through hard work and dedication.”

Drawing stories from across India — from Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat to Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi — the book is packed with leadership lessons and insights, showing how ordinary people became game changers in their own way.

Inspiring individuals

There is a bit of the author in Hyderabad-based industrialist Srikanth Bolla’s story. Like Bolla, founder of Bollant Industries, Uday Shankar grew up with a visual impairment. “I was partially blind due to congenital cataract. I couldn’t see the board and had to carry a magnifying glass during exams,” he recalls. Bolla’s journey of overcoming adversity was later adapted into the Hindi film Srikanth, starring Rajkummar Rao.

The book also profiles Hyderabad-based social activist Azhar Maqsusi, who runs the Hunger Knows No Religion campaign and feeds nearly 1,000 people daily, and Meenakshi Gadge, the Class XII-educated sarpanch who transformed Telangana’s Mukhra into a model village.

Originally from Hyderabad and now based in Bengaluru, Uday says he consciously looked beyond his home state. “I didn’t want to be seen as a partial guy writing only Hyderabad stories. I wanted voices from across India.” Alongside familiar names like E. Sreedharan, Tessy Thomas and Dashrath Manjhi, he also spotlights lesser-known changemakers such as Kashmir’s Nazim Nazir, who defied his parents to start a beekeeping business at 18 and now produces 5,000 to 7,000 kg of honey each year.

Tribute to COVID warriors

One chapter that remains especially close to Uday’s heart is his tribute to Covid-19 warriors. "I wanted to honour the doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and ward boys who lost their lives while saving people like us," he says.

Shankar is set to launch the book across four metros, including Hyderabad, this August. But he believes there are many more unsung heroes waiting to be discovered. "There are so many deserving people who have never been in the spotlight," he says. "I hope to write another one — maybe a sequel or Game Changer 2.0."

Game Changers: Lessons on Resilience and Success is available online and bookstores in Bengaluru

Published - August 05, 2026 10:48 am IST