Friendship, compassion and the pressures of modern were the talking points as Shatrughan Sinha and Maneka Gandhi launched Dr Mukesh Batra’s new book Toxic: Stories, Science, and Remedies for a Cleaner Mind, Body and Spirit, written with Swami Shailendra Saraswati. The book was launched at an event in New Delhi.“Once a friend, always a friend,” said Sinha, speaking affectionately about Dr Batra, adding, “It’s not about just being a friend. We both together form a mutual admiration society.” His words brought warmth to an occasion that explored the pressures people carry and the damage they sometimes struggle to recognise.Maneka Gandhi described Dr Batra as a wonderful human being who has consistently supported the voiceless. Expressing her support for the cause, she praised his compassion and commitment to helping others. For Dr Batra, the book grew from concerns about both the world around us and the distress people carry within. Speaking at the launch, he drew attention to polluted air, concerns about food and water, digital dependence and the silence surrounding emotional struggles. “That is why I wrote Toxic—not as a doctor diagnosing a patient, but as a witness to how an entire civilization is changing, not always for the better,” he said.With Sinha present, Dr Batra also addressed the emotional pressures of the entertainment industry. Drawing on his experience, he spoke about the burden behind the glamour, where intense competition and public judgement can make every release feel like a test of survival.Swami Shailendra Saraswati brought the discussion back to the attention we give our inner lives. “It’s not just about our body. We must pay equal attention to our thoughts, emotions and actions,” he said. The launch also revealed the affection surrounding its author. Sinha’s tribute to an enduring friendship and Gandhi’s appreciation of Dr Batra’s support for the voiceless gave the occasion a personal significance.