Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launches Abhishek Ray's iconic novel BAAGH Tiger - The inside story on Global Tiger Day

New Delhi: On Global Tiger Day, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment & Forest inaugurated the wildlife crime thriller novel BAAGH TIGER-THE INSIDE STORY authored by Abhishek Ray.

Being referred to as the ' real jungle book of today ' by Amazon & Google books, BAAGH has become a rage amongst readers coming more than a century after the Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book which was published in 1894.

The unique protagonist of this much talked about novel, is a tribal man Jaggu emerging as the real Mowgli of the 21st century. It is the raw and untamed love story of Jaggu and his beloved Janhvi set against the deep dark world of wildlife trafficking, the third largest illicit trade in the world. This bestseller takes the reader on an adrenaline kicking rollercoaster ride through the magnificent Indian subcontinent in an intriguing story based on true incidents, encompassing wildlife, crime, action, adventure and contraband interlaced.

The author of this popular book, Abhishek Ray is an eminent Bollywood composer-singer known for national award winning and superhit cinema. He is also a passionate tiger-leopard conservationist who created the world famous Sitabani Wildlife Reserve with his personal effort & savings. Talking about Baagh, Abhishek says, "Today’s jungle book is a very different ballgame. Throw tigers, people and poverty in the mix, and you have India--a magical country with iconic predators coexisting with dense human populations. Throughout my life as a tiger-leopard tracker, counting big-cats in various parts of the Indian sub-continent, I have often felt the dire need for a detailed work of fiction - A novel that truly describes the complex dynamics of how a free ranging wild tiger survives and raises its cubs in today's India- In an increasingly human dominated landscape constantly dodging deadly threats like poachers."

The secretary general of Global Tiger Forum, Rajesh Gopal strongly advocates the realistic novel saying, "The jungle book of today has different contours owing to social stressors. More tigers amidst people and poverty bring in more challenges! The author’s labour of love is adorable. His passionate description is so realistic and appealing, making us part of the setting. This is a must read for all interested in nature and our life support system."

Acclaimed Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff writes, "Abhishek is a man for all seasons, a true lover of environment who created Sitabani wildlife reserve. Hope his vision for protection of mother earth is seen and felt by everyone on this planet. "

Abhishek Ray was recently roped in by the United Nations and GOI to create 'Guardians of the Wild', the branding film & big cat anthem of the world for honourable PM Modi's dream project, the IBCA. S P Yadav, Director General, IBCA, (International Big Cat Alliance) observes, "An intriguing story from the tribal heartland of India. The author is a passionate wildlifer and conservationist. In his maiden attempt, he has woven the story in such a beautiful way that it strongly conveys importance of wildlife & forest conservation with community interface."

Legendary Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam is all praise for BAAGH, "Abhishek 's passion for wildlife, and his incredible knowledge of the flora and fauna, especially of India, is very heartening and endearing. Be prepared for a vivid, detailed and dramatic trek of thrilling storytelling, drenched in the rain of sheer truth of his own experiences and fact findings."

Abhishek has recently composed, sung and filmed India's national Cheetah anthem for the NTCA. G S Bharadwaj, ADG Project Tiger and Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority writes in the preface, "Baagh is an intriguing love story encompassing wildlife crime, action, adventure, contraband. I wish him all the best for the success of this riveting book. May this work ignite a spark for conservation in our coming generations."

"On visiting Abhishek 's Sitabani Wildlife Reserve near Jim Corbett, with my son, I got to witness his compelling passion for wildlife and environment preservation first hand. Reading his book is another reminder to me of not just how multi faceted and creative Abhishek is, but also how committed he is to Wildlife conservation.

The story is gripping and inspiring with researched facts and truths." writes the iconic singer Shaan in the foreword of BAAGH.

Celebrated singer Kavita Krishnamurthi is taken by the authenticity of BAAGH and it's author. She remembers fondly, "Abhishek’s remarkable journey from a bollywood composer to a passionate conservationist is indeed very heartwarming. He has channeled his love for nature by creating Sitabani Wildlife Reserve near Corbett National Park. We recorded a tiger anthem for the Govt of India which meaningfully combines music and an activist purpose. Knowing that he is such a multi talented person, I’m delighted to know that his passion for conservation has resulted in a book called BAAGH –Tiger- The Inside Story. "

Abhishek maintains that the term ‘Wildlife’ is misleading. He says emphatically, "For me ‘wildlife’ is nothing but life itself - life naturally endemic to planet earth. I strongly feel that Jaggu’s inward journey and transformation is reflective of the spiritual journey of humankind today."

BAAGH Tiger -The inside story is not just an engaging & popular novel, it is also a path breaking book that aims to capture the deep seated conservation ethos of India revealing an ancient Vedic value system, tribal wisdom, tolerance, worship of plants, animals, even rocks which come together to create an exemplary bond between man and the wild - A precedent for the world to witness and learn from.

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