‘THE WINNING FORMULA: 52 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE’, A BOOK BY K.J.Alphons, Reviewed by ASHOK OGRA

Born in a village with no electricity and modest beginnings, his journey from scoring 42% in board exams to getting into IAS, featuring in the reputed TIME Magazine’s list of 100 Young Global Leaders, Central Minister with independent charge (2014-19), is nothing short of extraordinary.
Now an author, he brings ‘THE WINNING FORMULA: 52 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE’, a book narrating 52 inspiring stories of individuals including his own who have transformed lives through social work and innovation. This remarkable storyteller is none other than K.J. Alphons – known for his out of box solutions and impactful leadership.
Across its 52 chapters, the author offers a panoramic view of life’s challenges and triumphs, inviting readers to reflect on their own paths while drawing inspiration from those who have dared to dream, act, and transform. He effectively blends deeply personal reflections with remarkable anecdotes of ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats.
TRANSFORMING CHALLENGES INTO TRIUMPHS:
Alphons highlights the power of self-belief to change one’s course in life. He talks about a crucial fishing trip that started his transformation from a poor student to a driven achiever in the story “The Disaster and the Take-Off.” This narrative emphasizes the value of motivation and self-awareness in conquering obstacles. Similar to this, “Introvert to Record Breaker” narrates the tale of Binu, who, through bravery and perseverance, went from being an extremely shy person to being a record-breaking orator.
An armless archer in the tale ‘Golden Sheeta’ overcomes social stigma to win world gold, demonstrating that physical disabilities are not a barrier to achievement. Similar to this, Sherin Shahana shares the story of a paraplegic victim of domestic abuse who passed the civil services exam, encouraging many others to keep going in the face of hardship. These tales honor the human spirit’s ability to overcome obstacles that appear insurmountable.
COMPASSION AS A UNIFYING FORCE:
Throughout the book, compassion emerges as a major theme. Alphons describes the valiant rescue of forty-one laborers who were trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand in November 2023. Twelve unidentified “rat-hole miners” risked their lives to save the workers when sophisticated machinery failed; they refused payment and attributed their actions to humanity. Similar to this, A “Little Care Can Save Lives” reminds readers of the enormous impact that even tiny acts of bravery and compassion can have by contrasting the catastrophes brought on by societal indifference with accounts of people stepping up in times of need.
Stories of selfless police officers exemplify extraordinary acts of kindness.
In Kerala, Ani Shiva breastfed the starving infant of a hospitalized migrant worker, thus demonstrating maternal compassion in uniform. Meanwhile, in Gujarat, a constable Veerabhai Rabari risked his life to save an elderly man from being hit by a train. These accounts showcase how compassion and selflessness can transform lives and communities.
Compassion for the marginalized and advocacy for systemic change features prominently in ‘The Voice of the Oppressed’’ Stories like that of Dr. Regi George and Dr. Lalitha Regi, who revolutionized tribal healthcare, and ‘The Slum Doctor’, where Dr. Surya forgoes a lucrative international career to serve impoverished communities in Delhi, demonstrates how small acts of empathy can create profound ripple effects.
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION:
Leadership and innovation prominently figure in the book. As Commissioner, Alphons streamlined the exam system, delivering results transparently and in record time. He also facilitated the establishment of private professional colleges in Kerala despite governmental opposition, dramatically increasing educational opportunities in the state. In ‘The Demolition Man’ that earned him huge laurels in Delhi and across the country, he narrates how bold governance reclaimed public land from encroachers, demonstrating how leadership can redefine possibilities.
The story of Cochin International Airport, the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, celebrates visionary thinking and sustainable innovation.
Technological advancements are another hallmark of leadership. In India: A Global Digital Leader, he examines how initiatives like UPI and Aadhaar have revolutionized governance and driven financial inclusion, making India a model for using technology to empower citizens.
As Commissioner, Alphons streamlined the exam system, delivering results transparently and in record time.
As District Magistrate, he achieved a remarkable feat of making Kottayam India’s first 100% literate town in a groundbreaking 100-day literacy campaign involving all citizens. Led by diverse stakeholders, the initiative empowered women and mobilized volunteers, and improved overall quality of life, demonstrating literacy’s transformative potential.
He also facilitated the establishment of private professional colleges in Kerala despite governmental opposition, dramatically increasing educational opportunities in the state.
ENVIORNMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
Environmental sustainability is a recurring motif. Jadav Payeng’s story, where he single-handedly transformed barren land into a lush forest, and the feature titled ‘Sweeping in Change’, refers to urban waste management reforms, thus underscoring the power of grassroots action.
These stories, alongside ‘Sreeman: The Saviour of Birds’, where an individual provides water for birds during a heatwave, inspire readers to consider their role in protecting the planet.
The author also advocates for coexistence with animals in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, urging humanity to embrace an interconnected ecosystem mindset.
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND COURAGE:
The book also highlights systemic barriers that often impede progress. ‘Mafia Strikes’ exposes the dangers faced by those confronting corruption, while Jitender Kumar’s story sheds light on the struggles of sanitation workers. These accounts emphasize the need for systemic reform and the role of collective action in driving change.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY:
Inclusivity and diversity are celebrated through stories that show how embracing differences enriches society. Fathima tells of a visually impaired girl excelling in music and academics, while ‘Empathy in Magic’ highlights how a magician empowers children with special needs. These narratives challenge readers to create spaces where all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive.
The story of Sujatha, a woman empowered through the Kudumbashree self-help group, illustrates how collective action can uplift entire communities.
DREAMS AND DETERMINATION:
In ‘You Are a Unique Creation’, Alphons emphasizes individuality and the importance of pursuing one’s unique path.
Examples include P. Vijayan, who rose from rural hardship to become a celebrated police officer, and Tessy Thomas, India’s “Missile Woman,” who broke entrenched barriers in science. These narratives inspire readers to embrace their uniqueness, as seen in Rishiraj Singh’s progressive parenting, which allowed his son to pursue his passion for animation, and Sonam Wangchuk’s educational reforms, which nurture creativity and critical thinking.
PURPOSE AND MINDFULNESS:
Alphons’ emphasis on purpose and mindfulness strikes a deep chord. He criticizes materialism and promotes inner contentment in ‘Live Happy,’ while he promotes self-reflection as a means of personal development in ‘Listen to the Sound of Silence.’ Stories like ‘Lucky to Be Alive’ stress the importance of road safety and caution, and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ celebrates the success of Chandrayaan-3, inspiring a new generation of scientists and innovators.
These stories reaffirm that persistent alignment with purpose and values, as well as tiny, deliberate actions, are the keys to fulfillment.
ETHICAL GOVERNANCE AND COURAGE:
Stories like “Politics Can Be Clean,” in which an independent MLA pledges to be transparent, and Blood vs. Belief, which discusses the moral conundrums public servants encounter in striking a balance between their constitutional obligations and personal beliefs, examine ethical governance and the difficulties of leadership. His dedication to justice and the rule of law, despite extreme pressure, is demonstrated by his experience overseeing elections in the contentious Madhepura constituency of Bihar in 2004.
LEGACY AND INSPIRATION:​
The book also honours contributions made after retirement and unsung heroes.
At the age of 89, Avtar Singh Bhasin is still contributing to academia, and “Sara, You Are in Our Hearts” tells the story of a family that transformed personal sorrow into social reform.
Glen Maxwell’s incredible 2023 ODI World Cup score of 201*, which he accomplished in spite of significant physical obstacles, is evidence of the resilience of the human spirit under adversity.
ENDORSEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The book has garnered widespread acclaim from thought leaders and prominent figures alike. Shashi Tharoor praises its transformative message, while Justice (Retd.) Kurian Joseph emphasizes how belief and resilience can lead to extraordinary achievements. Sadhguru, Shiv Khera, and former diplomats such as Shyam Saran commend the book’s ability to inspire systemic change and foster self-belief.
Sanjeev Chopra, former Director of Lal Bhadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, beautifully sums up the key message the book is aiming to convey: creating change doesn’t require privilege or exceptional talent- “just determination, a positive outlook, and the willingness to take the plunge.” Similar views are expressed by Mamidala Jagdesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC and former VC, JNU: “this book is an emphatic testament to the belief that one can recast one’s life by merely choosing to act, no matter their background.”
The Winning Formula is undeniably inspirational, its breadth occasionally overshadows depth. Some stories would benefit from further exploration of their larger implications, such as the scalability of Kottayam’s 100-day literacy campaign or the long-term impact of Sonam Wangchuk’s educational reforms. Similarly, a more organized structure and grouping the stories under various sub-themes, as has been attempted in this review, could amplify its impact and accessibility.
Published by Bloomsbury in a reader-friendly format, The Winning Formula resonates across diverse age groups and backgrounds.
The author generously acknowledges the support he received in bringing the project to life. He expresses gratitude to the management of the India International Centre (IIC), Delhi’s leading intellectual and cultural hub, with special thanks to its library staff—Usha Munshi, Kanchan Nagpal, Puja Puri, and Rajeev Mishra—for their invaluable assistance. The author also acknowledges the humble contributions of his lunch companions at the IIC- Praveer Bagchi, R.K. Jain, and Ashok Ogra “who helped refine the book’s title through countless brainstorming sessions.”
In the preface, Alphons highlights the transformative power of resilience and self-belief, urging readers to dream boldly and act decisively.
As a bureaucrat, Alphons has been a steward of rules and a sculptor of change. He now possesses the same unwavering composure in the turbulent world of politics, using empathy and vision as his tools. By turns playful and moving, instructive and illuminating, his chronicle of 52 human stories is less a collection of words and more a montage of lives. They are tales of perseverance, altruism, and transformation that mirror his own journey.
DECLERATION: K.J.Alphons is a dear friend of the reviewer