Book Review

The Winning Formula: 52 Ways to Change Your Life - A Transformative Journey by KJ Alphons

In this compelling review Onkareshwar Pandey, discovers how KJ Alphons' book, "The Winning Formula," presents 52 inspiring stories and life lessons to spark change and motivation.

By Onkareshwar Pandey

There are books that inspire, and then there are those that ignite—this tome by KJ Alphons belongs to the latter, a blazing ember of resolve, chiseling ordinary men and women into extraordinary figures. The Winning Formula, an anthology of 52 lived experiences, is neither sermon nor theory; it is a vibrant tapestry of human triumph woven from the threads of grit, audacity, and the indefatigable will to rise.

Alphons, a man who defied the gravitational pull of mediocrity, casts his tale not in boast, but in invitation: “Here,” he seems to whisper, “is the map. Take it, and chart your own odyssey.” His own story, a phoenix-like rise from a 42% score in his school examinations to a name enshrined in Time Magazine's list of 100 Young Global Leaders, and then becoming becoming an MLA, MP and a Union Minister is testament enough that the extraordinary is not born but cultivated.

From the quiet village without electricity where he first dreamed, to the bustling halls of power where he dared, Alphons draws deeply from his life and others’, spinning narratives that drip with raw humanity. In these 52 vignettes, we see the essence of life’s most potent formula: perseverance, attitude, and unwavering commitment.

He won multiple best District Collector awards and best MLA award.

His autobiography, ‘Making a Difference’, was published by Penguin in 1996, when he was 42. The book has been published in Hindi and Malayalam as well. The Malayalam version of the book, published by DC Books, has gone into 13 editions.

His book, ‘Accelerating India’, was published in 2022 by Oakridge, is an authoritative book on the achievements of 7 years of Modi government. He presented his book to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Lyrical Momentum of Lived Wisdom
Alphons’ anecdotes breathe life into principles too often relegated to dusty motivational shelves. He speaks of a boy who refused to let the jeers of a failed debate define him, who rose, shoe after shoe, to become a national orator. He paints the portrait of a young bureaucrat who, against the demi-god Chief Minister MGR, stood firm for the sanctity of law, turning his nascent career into a lighthouse for courage.

These are not tales of distant demigods but of flawed, striving humans who chose, again and again, to persist. Each story is infused with the quiet symphony of resilience, the crescendo of conviction, and the unrelenting rhythm of action.

A Symphony of Service and Rebellion
If the book were a melody, it would sing in crescendos of service and rebellion. Alphons’ tenure as District Collector in Kottayam, where he pioneered India’s first literacy movement, is nothing short of a sonnet to grassroots governance. His Mass Contact Program echoes the wisdom of a humble village elder: “Come to where we are.” It is governance as poetry, with verses written in compassion and execution.

Even in his battles—against corruption, inertia, and vested interests—the narrative hums with a purity of intent. As “The Demolition Man” of Delhi, he wielded not merely the might of a bulldozer but the unyielding spirit of a reformer. His wife’s brush with death at the hands of the mafia becomes not a lament but a testament to the stakes of doing what is right.

The Universal Truths Carved in Action
At its heart, The Winning Formula is a love letter to humanity’s potential. Alphons distills his wisdom into luminous truths:

1. Listen, for the citizen is the oracle.
2. Step out of comfort, for the real work lies in the trenches.
3. Shed arrogance, for power is but a borrowed garment from the people.

In these pages, bureaucracy becomes not a byword for inertia but a canvas for transformation. Alphons crafts his stories with the precision of a sculptor, chipping away at the excuses of circumstance, revealing the latent greatness in us all.

A Call to Arms, A Whisper of Hope
This book is no mere instruction manual; it is a hymn of hope, a clarion call to those who have ever doubted their worth. Alphons speaks not as a preacher atop a pulpit but as a fellow traveler who has stumbled and soared. His words resonate with those who have tasted failure and still dream of the stars.

As he weaves through his tales—of a collector saving a child, a minister revitalizing tourism, an observer redefining elections—the reader is left with the indelible truth that no station is too humble, no dream too far.

A Masterpiece of Motivation
KJ Alphons has given us more than a book; he has given us a mirror in which we can see not just who we are but who we could be. The Winning Formula is a rare offering, one that refuses to let us remain passive readers but calls us into the arena of life, daring us to fight, to fail, and to ultimately, win.

This is not just a book—it is a revolution in 52 steps.

Overview and Highlights of the Book

The book encapsulates stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats, interspersed with the author's own anecdotes. Among the 52 anecdotes, only 13 revolve around Alphons himself, while the rest showcase inspiring individuals from diverse walks of life who embody determination, courage, and innovation.

Children Should Dream Freely

Alphons, a member of the drafting committee for the New Education Policy, emphasizes the importance of individuality in children. He believes that children should not be mere photocopies of their parents, teachers, or friends but should pursue their own dreams.

• Adarsh’s Journey to Success: Alphons' son, Adarsh, was dismissed from a prestigious Delhi school for not being "up to the mark." At his new school, Bluebells, he transformed under the guidance of Principal Suman Kumar, who encouraged his passion for painting. By 11, Adarsh was selling paintings and became a taxpayer. At 13, he held a global exhibition inaugurated by the President of India. Today, he runs 45 visual arts schools in the U.S. for children, all free (Chapter 14).

Parents Who Foster Freedom

• Rishiraj Singh IPS and Durgeshwari: They supported their son’s dream of becoming a graphic designer, despite societal expectations. Today, he works with leading studios (Chapter 9).
• Amal’s Libraries: Inspired by a story in his textbook, Amal, a class 10 student, established libraries across Southern Kerala and beyond, managed by students (Chapter 5).

Extraordinary Grit and Determination

• Vijayan IPS: After failing class 10, Vijayan worked as a construction laborer, completed his education privately, and joined the civil service. He later won numerous awards, including CNN IBN Person of the Year (Chapter 6).
• Sheetal the Archer: An armless 17-year-old who won a medal at the Paris Paralympics, her story is one of unparalleled perseverance (Chapter 7).

Selfless Service

• Dr. Regi George and Dr. Lalitha: These doctors revolutionized healthcare for tribals in Tamil Nadu, training semi-literate women to provide basic nursing care and promoting sustainable agriculture (Chapter 8).
• PU Thomas: A peon at Kottayam Medical College, he feeds 7,500 people daily and runs a home for the destitute, proving that anyone can make a difference (Chapter 26).

Unsung Heroes of Society

• Ani Shiva: A police constable in Kerala who breastfed an abandoned child without hesitation, demonstrating humanity beyond societal divides (Chapter 12).
• Jitender Kumar: A drainage cleaner in Delhi who risks his life daily but also supports others in need with his earnings (Chapter 43).

Empowering Women

• Tessy Thomas: Known as India’s "Missile Woman," she proved that revolutionary achievements are not limited to elite institutions (Chapter 13).
• Kudumbashree Movement: This Kerala initiative has empowered women by organizing them into self-help groups for financial independence (Chapter 15).

Incredible Innovations

• Sonam Wangchuk: Established the Alternative Campus in Ladakh, focusing on sustainable technology and solutions like "ice stupas" to provide water in remote areas (Chapter 24).
• ISRO and Chandrayaan 3: The achievements of scientists from humble backgrounds who placed India on the global space map with limited resources (Chapter 31).

Environmental Crusaders

• Jadav Payeng and RK Nair: Highlighted for their efforts in Assam and Kutch to combat environmental degradation and promote sustainability (Chapter 35).
• Sreeman’s Initiative: He has supplied over 100,000 free mud pots to provide water for birds, earning praise from the Prime Minister (Chapter 50).

Inspiration from Adversity

• Sherin Shahana: Overcame a toxic marriage, educated herself while in a wheelchair, and became a civil servant (Chapter 21).
• Jayasree and Godwin: After losing their daughter Sara, who had cerebral palsy, they set up the Hrdya Sara Foundation to support parents in similar situations (Chapter 47).

Making Every Minute Count

• Chapter on Time Management: Alphons critiques time-wasters like social media, urging readers to engage in meaningful conversations and purposeful activities (Chapter 36).
• Power of a Smile: A smile costs nothing but delivers immeasurable positivity (Chapter 40).

Lessons from the Bureaucracy

• V J Kurien’s Airport Vision: The IAS officer conceptualized and built the Cochin International Airport, demonstrating the power of collective citizen involvement (Chapter 37).
• City Transformations: Cities like Surat, Indore, and Sulthan Bathery became models of cleanliness through leadership and citizen cooperation (Chapter 33).

Ordinary Yet Extraordinary Individuals

• Fathima: Blind from birth, this 18-year-old polyglot and playback singer has won numerous national awards and aspires to join the Indian Foreign Service (Chapter 42).
• Binu the Motivational Speaker: From an introverted child to delivering the longest speech in the Guinness Book of Records, his transformation is remarkable (Chapter 39).

Why This Book is for Everyone

This book is a must-read for:

• Students: To dream big and chase those dreams.
• Parents and Teachers: To foster individuality in children.
• Professionals: To treat work and customers with respect.
• Women: To embrace empowerment and independence.
• Senior Citizens: To find purpose and meaning post-retirement.

In short, anyone who wants to live an inspired and impactful life should read this book.