November 13, 2025
Imagine a book that takes you back 13.8 billion years—to the very start of the Universe! This magical journey shows how Earth was born, how life began, and how humans have changed everything. "Soul Forest And the Children Who Heard the Earth’s Secrets" by Sathya Raghu V Mokkapati, with lively illustrations by Ramesh Manickavel, does exactly this. This Penguin book just launched, and it’s grabbing hearts!
Called a mix of story, science, and manifesto, the book is like a fun chat between Father Sathya and his two curious kids, Virat and Ira. These hilarious talks help both kids and adults see Earth not just as a background, but as the shining star of the story. Sathya says, "The book is an inter-generational read for parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren and the child within you."
To add more excitement, a new online initiative named Soul Forest Circles started on November 14, matching the book launch. Sathya calls this a "calm revolution." It’s a simple ritual where adults and children spend 10 minutes next to a plant or tree, reading, thinking, and acting gently on nature. Families and friends can even share their thoughts on the Instagram handle @soulforestindia. The dream? To build a million calm nature circles worldwide in the next decade—and beat the noise of stress and anxiety!
Sathya, CEO and co-founder of Soul Forest, which turns dry lands green again, is also a co-founder of Hyderabad’s agri-startup Kheyti. His journey began after Kheyti’s winning the 2022 Earthshot Prize. As a former chartered accountant and TED speaker, he wondered if his knowledge was enough. So he dived into many books and articles, traveled back to the Big Bang, and asked simple but sharp questions like, "What do you mean when you say climate is changing because climate always changes?"
After years of research, he turned his answers into stories to explain Earth’s secrets to his kids. "People enjoy conversations not lectures," he says. Stories build culture, culture builds values, and values protect our planet. For Sathya, connecting with Nature means connecting with our ancestors—not just humans, but animals, plants, and even stones. "We belong to them and carry a part of them," he explains.
The creative magic didn’t stop at writing. Ramesh Manickavel, a tech expert with a big heart who supports underprivileged children, created heartfelt sketches that brought the book alive. Sathya shared, "No instructions or requirements were given to Ramesh. His heartfelt sketches brought so much life to the book."
From curious questions to a deep, beautiful understanding of nature, Sathya’s journey has been truly transformative. "Once people recognise their roots as Nature, they will value it," he promises.
Get your copy of "Soul Forest And the Children Who Heard the Earth’s Secrets" for ₹499 online or at bookstores. Ready to join the calm revolution and hear Earth’s secrets?
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Tags:
Soul Forest
Sathya Raghu V Mokkapati
Climate change
Children's Book
Nature
Illustrations
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