You can, if you think you can: Shilpa Bhasin Mehra proves it

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal admired the indomitable spirit of his erstwhile junior who bounced back after being paralysed while releasing her book "All Battles Aren't Legal"

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal Saturday launched Dubai-based lawyer Shilpa Bhasin Mehra's book, "All Battles Aren't Legal". The author's father and renowned lawyer Dr Lalit Bhasin, President of the Society of Indian Law Firms, was present at the event.

The third edition of the book, published by Universal Law Publishing, was released at the New Delhi residence of the Attorney General. Shilpa had in the past worked as one of the juniors of Mr Venugopal.

"Shilpa's undeterred resilience has helped her emerge victorious from a life-threatening battle. Her courage to share the story of her pain underscores her indomitable spirit. Shilpa's staunch belief and her family's love and hope have made it possible for her to overcome a challenge that had spelled the end of her life," Mr Venugopal said at the book launch ceremony.

The book chronicles Shilpa's battles and trauma following a meningitis attack in March 2003 while she lived in Dubai. For 40 days she was put into a deep coma where only a miracle could revive her. Miracle it was when Shilpa opened her eyes at Dubai's Rashid Hospital one fine morning only to realise that she had been paralysed from below her waist.

The book is all about grit, determination and faith of Shilpa who remained paralysed for two and a half years while undergoing physiotherapy. It was during this phase that her father gifted her a laptop which propelled her to write her story. The doctor treating her also encouraged her to pen down her story so that it can work as an inspiration for others.

While others would have given in, Shilpa was determined to get back on her feet, which helped as she started walking soon.

"After conquering her disability, she now walks only with the help of a stick. I have no doubts that soon her stick would go too," Mr Venugopal said.

The unusual title of the book "All Battles Aren't Legal" has an interesting story behind it. The publisher was known to her father Dr Bhasin. They are into publishing only law books. However, after coming to know about Shilpa's story and her diary, he expressed interest in publishing it as a book. His only request to Shilpa was that since they are law book publishers, she should think of a legal title for her book.

"All Battles Aren't Legal" beautifully fulfilled that requirement and sums up what one can achieve with seer determination and a fighting spirit. The unusual title has become the main attraction for a reader to pick up the book which essentially is her personal diary in which she has shared what helped her in her recovery and how she bounced back to celebrate life once again.