SURREY, BC – In a celebration merging literary arts with community heritage, Surrey-based author, poet, and filmmaker Harish Masand officially unveiled his second book, The Rain I Claim (Apni Barish). The bilingual memoir, which touches on themes of loss, migration, and artistic rebirth, was launched on November 7, 2025, amidst the province’s Hindu Heritage Month festivities.
The launch event was officiated by the Consul General of India, Mr. Rungsung Masakui, and drew a notable gathering of dignitaries. Signed copies of the memoir were gracefully received by B.C. Premier David Eby, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Councillor Linda Annis, and MLA Bryan Tepper, signaling strong local support for Masand’s contribution to the province’s cultural tapestry.
Following the official unveiling, the literary group Creative Kalam Canada organized an intimate book review session attended by 60 guests. The evening was marked by the presence of Mr. Ravinder K. Mangla, Consul (Culture and Education) from the Consulate General of India, Vancouver.
The event featured analysis from noted local authors and poets, as well as video reviews from university professors in India and Australia, highlighting the memoir’s global resonance.
The president of Shri Laxmi Narayan temple in Surrey, Mr. Satish Kumar, recently felicitated Harish Masand for promoting Hindi language and culture through his bilingual book.
A Journey of Resilience
The memoir’s narrative is distinguished by its unflinching look at the delicate inner world of a sensitive soul. Harish Masand bravely exposes the wounds inflicted by personal loss and the often-colder reception from an indifferent society.
What makes this journey so incredibly compelling and admirable is the manner in which the author defies the conventional response to trauma. Generally, when faced with such significant personal setbacks and the apathy of the world, a sensitive spirit retreats—it closes down, the creative well dries up, and the impulse to engage with the world ceases. Yet, Mr. Masand took a distinctly different path. He channeled that profound grief and pain, refusing to let it become a barrier to his existence. Instead, he transformed his struggles into fuel, successfully overcoming his tribulations not by numbing the pain, but by embracing his inner artistic life.
His incredible resurgence as a poet, author, and movie writer/director is a clear testament to this conscious effort and successful endeavor. He did not allow his artistic side to perish; he cultivated it until it blossomed anew, proving that creativity and sensitivity can be powerful instruments of recovery.
A Powerful Mirror for the Diaspora A recurring theme among the reviewers was the book’s uncanny ability to articulate the immigrant experience.
Shalu Makhija described the work as a “captivating roller coaster ride” that serves as a “powerful mirror” for the community. “To love this beautiful locale is to, in effect, claim this rain and make it profoundly one’s own,” Makhija noted, praising the title’s poetic relevance to life in British Columbia.
This sentiment was echoed by Raphael Lim, who found the book to offer a “genuine glimpse into the uncertainties and motivations” of relocation, calling it an essential read for anyone curious about the internal process of migration.
Priti, another reviewer, called it a “raw, honest telling,” noting that while Masand has “claimed the rain” in his new home, the bilingual format proves “he has not forgotten where he came from.”
Triumph of the Spirit Beyond the geography of migration, the event celebrated the book as a testament to emotional resilience.
Noted author Ashok Bhargava provided a lyrical analysis, stating that Masand “paints a magical, multicoloured rainbow across the grey sky of human life.” Bhargava highlighted how the narrative traces a passage from India to Toronto and Vancouver, calling it “an intimate, reflective, and deeply felt exploration of migration, loss, and resurgence.”
An Accessible Inspiration Despite the heavy themes, reviewers emphasized the book’s readability. Naresh Ajwani praised the “sincerity and clarity” of the prose, describing the reflections as “honest, lived, and quietly powerful.” Rakhee Sajnani added that the “heartwarming autobiography” is an “inspiration for the fainthearted,” proving that faith and integrity can help one face any odds.
The Rain I Claim (Apni Barish) is available as an e-book on Amazon. Hard copies can be purchased at a nominal cost from India Book World (8253 120 St, Delta, BC).
