Shatrughan Sinha and Maneka Gandhi Unveil Dr. Mukesh Batra’s New Book Toxic in New Delhi

An afternoon dedicated to friendship, health, and holistic reflection unfolded at The Lalit in New Delhi as veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha and animal welfare advocate and parliamentarian Maneka Gandhi officially launched Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra’s latest book, Toxic. Co-authored with spiritual guide Swami Shailendra Saraswati and published by Bloomsbury India, the book addresses the urgent intersection of environmental pollution, physical ailments, and mental health. The gathering brought together notable luminaries from politics, healthcare, and literature for a thought-provoking conversation on healing modern society from the inside out.

Anchoring the launch on a personal and heartfelt note, Shatrughan Sinha celebrated his long-standing bond with Dr. Batra, encapsulating their camaraderie with the poignant sentiment, “Once a friend, always a friend.” Reflecting on the core philosophy behind the title, Dr. Batra noted that the book emerged not from a place of clinical detachment, but from deep observational concern for human well-being. “I wrote Toxic—not as a doctor diagnosing a patient, but as a witness to an entire civilization slowly poisoning itself, sometimes with pollutants and sometimes with its own thoughts,” Dr. Batra shared during the keynote address, highlighting how everyday stresses and environmental hazards compound into silent lifestyle crises.

The discussion broadened to animal welfare, environmental empathy, and alternative healing through an address by Maneka Gandhi, who paid tribute to Dr. Batra’s sustained commitment to social causes and animal care. Sharing personal insights into her own rescue and veterinary work, Gandhi revealed how deeply intertwined homeopathy has been in her efforts, emphasizing its gentle efficacy in treating and rehabilitating animals. Her reflections underscored the event’s central theme of compassion, urging attendees to extend their consciousness beyond human convenience to protect the voiceless and the natural habitats around them.

Emphasizing the spiritual dimension of detoxification, co-author Swami Shailendra Saraswati reminded the audience that external clean-up is incomplete without mental discipline. “It’s not just about our bodies. We must pay equal attention to our thoughts, emotions, and actions,” Saraswati stated, advocating for emotional clarity and mindful living as essential defenses against modern burnout. Published by Bloomsbury India, Toxic aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for readers seeking to purge both physical toxins and negative thought patterns, marking another significant milestone in Dr. Batra’s lifelong advocacy for accessible, integrated wellness.