This book is a collection of stories and lessons the author learned from his father, Nanna. It covers topics like playing to your strengths, presence of mind, choosing shortcuts, enjoying your day, seeing the bigger picture, serving with intent, being firm, the habit of saving, and timely appreciation. The stories come from real moments at home, at the dining table, and in the classroom.
This document is a personal book titled Lessons from Nanna. It is a collection of stories and lessons the author learned from his father over many years. The book is intended for students, working professionals, and anyone trying to live a little better each day.
The preface explains that the author did not set out to write a book but wanted to begin somewhere by writing down what he learned from his father. The lessons are presented as stories, focusing on what stood out most clearly. The book is not everything but offers steady principles a reader can return to.
The introduction describes the book as a collection of small, ordinary moments that are powerful in what they leave behind. The stories come from watching the author's father: how he speaks, teaches, handles pressure, treats people, and stands by certain values. Lessons showed up in the classroom, at home, at the dining table, and in casual conversations.
Chapter 1, Playing to Your Strengths, tells how the author's father, who studied in Telugu-medium schools, excelled in a job interview by explaining the concept of a prism and refraction using an analogy about knowledge traveling through a prism. The chapter emphasizes that true communication is about clarity, not language. It also discusses the father's KYC (Know Your Customer) principle adapted for college life: know your class, classmates, college, career direction, consciousness, and…
Chapter 2, Presence of Mind, recounts a story from the father's high school days when he was in a stage play as a freedom fighter. His dhoti began to slip during a speech, but he turned the moment into part of the performance by saying that during the freedom struggle, they had to run fast and their dhotis would come loose, but they never stopped fighting. The audience applauded.