It was just the right time to raise a toast to the growing global impact of India. First the Tata-Corus deal and then the Hindalco-Novelis acquisition made headlines worldwide. Planet India: How the Fastest Growing Democracy Is Transforming the World - a literary offering that celebrates the 'India Shining' phenomenon, focussing attention on the stellar presence of country in the firmament of the world.

At a power-packed, intimate gathering at the Little Theatre, NCPA, in South Mumbai, Asia Society India Centre, Simon & Schuster and Verve presented American-based author, Mira Kamdar's analysis of India's transformation to a global powerhouse. Very provocative, timely and essential, the groundbreaking Planet India posits a defining role for India in the new international scenario, where the moral and economic power centres are subtly but surely shifting.

As the sun set over the horizon, the invitees walked in to be greeted by Verve's latest edition - featuring an essay by Mira Kamdar on almost the same subject (India On The Verge). Nita Ambani, the guest of honour, strolled in to a warm welcome by Verve's editor and publisher, Anuradha Mahindra; Bunty Chand, executive director of The Asia Society and author, Kamdar, who had interacted with her during the long research for her book.

After some polite conversation, the gathering soon settled in the auditorium for a power-packed discussion. Chand set the ball rolling by presenting the writer and the two luminaries on stage: Sunil Mehta, country head and chief executive, AIG India and Malavika Sangghvi, DNA. "Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts," urged Mahindra, in a lighter vein in her address, "for we are about to enter a new planet." Her gracious introduction to the work and its creator emphasised the presence of 'India international' - the spirit of the new Indian that is moving and shaping not just the country but the world as well. Lauding Kamdar's efforts in spotlighting several issues in an immensely reader friendly offering, she said that Planet India would put the country firmly at the centre of the galaxy. A thought echoed and reiterated by Mehta who spotlighted the upbeat mood present right through the book. Publishers Simon & Schuster were represented by Dan Vidra, director, international sales, who pointing out that this was their first title in India, said that they were 'looking forward to many more.'

Kamdar - of Indian descent - gratefully acknowledged the support of all who had encouraged her in the endeavour, a few of whom were present, before she began an animated duologue with Sangghvi. At the latter's suggestion, to get Kamdar to relax, the duo tried to pretend that the audience did not exist, something that the ongoing applause and intermittent chuckles made difficult....

The writer (her views are expressed in detail in the accompanying interview given exclusively to Verve, a few hours before this event) spoke eloquently about her tryst with a country on the threshold of a global moment. Reading from her book, she showed how despite the various problems and crises that prevail, India - and Indians - can overcome the moment and take it ahead to establish itself as a force to reckon with. And as the audience left the auditorium to relax over cocktails, her words resonated: "If we are to survive as a planet, we need India to summon up from its deep cultural past, a new ethos. This will be India's renaissance; its shaking off once and for all its subjugation to the West and its triumphant re-emergence as a truly global power. For, as goes India, so goes the world...."