The launch of Dr Batra’s book TOXIC co-authored with Swami Shailendra Saraswati, Osho’s younger brother, brought together a house full of Kolkata’s creative and literary community. It marked one of the city’s most talked-about literary evenings this season. The launch was attended by actors Debolina Dutta – chief guest, Falaque Rashid Roy – moderator and Anuja Roy – guest of honour among others.
In conversation with the panel, Padmashri Dr. Mukesh Batra addressing the audience mentioned two invisible toxins – Digital addiction and Toxic Relationships – “Toxicity today isn’t just what enters our bloodstream, but what enters our bandwidth. India’s Economic Survey 2025-26, has flagged digital addiction as a public health threat. Digital toxicity is the compulsive, unrelenting relationship people now have with their screens, with an average 5 hours of screen time every day. The other toxicity is a toxic relationship that destroys you completely. The book helps you to deal with these and many other forms of toxicity in today’s world.”
Speaking on the occasion Debolina Dutta said, “As actors and as audiences, we are constantly participating in a culture that shapes how we see ourselves, our relationships and the world around us. We need to ask what we are consuming emotionally and mentally, not just physically. TOXIC opens up that conversation in a very accessible way.” The evening closed with a book signing session, where Dr. Batra interacted with readers and well-wishers.
