His work has not only lived on bookshelves but also found new life on screen, with adaptations such Saat Khoon Maaf and The blue umbrellaIntroducing his stories to wider audiences.

“The body, like an old car, starts giving Trouble. But I’m grateful. Conversation. He also shared glimpses into his Daily Life at 91, Musings on Modern life, ending love for books, and more. Edited Excerpts Are Below:

Q. What does a typical day in your life look like? What small joys are you unapologically ‘greedy’ about?

“Nature is my daily joy – thoughts, birds, flowers,” says bond. (Express Photo)

Ruskin bond: In my younger days, I walked Everywhere – Hiking Through Hills and Exploring Towns. That is how stories came to me, how life stayed interesting. Now, things are quieter.

I begin my day early –around seven or eight – a couple of pages. If the weather is kind, I sit in the sun; Otherwise, I find some shade. Nature is My Daily Joy – Threes, Birds, Flowers.

I get along with small animals, not the large ones. I have a pretty three-legged person Cat and a gang of monkeys who are not pets, but like to steal my lunch.

Books are still a constant – I read every day, think I must bring to my close to my nose now. I take Four Newspapers Each Morning and Get Quite Grumpy if they’re late.

And yes, I love sweets – Price Cream, Laddus, Jalebis, and Burfi. The doctors ask to cut back on sugar, but I sneak in the occasional treat. Life would be Rather Dull Without Those Little Indulgances.

Q. At this stage in life, how do you define “fitness”? What keeps are you feeling well in body, mind, and spirit?

Ruskin bond: I never think about fitness, to be honest. When we’er young, we take it for granted. I used to walk and cycle everywhere, and that probably kept me healthy. I never did yoga or followed any strict regimen.

I am always more of a lazy felow – I get up to write, not to do exercises. Now, in my 90s, I can’t walk far, but I still enjoy a short stroll. The body, like an old car, starts giving Trouble. But I’m grateful. When I was young, living to 60 was consided an achievement. So 91 feel like a bonus round.

Q. Have witness so much change over the decades, is something from the past you wish today’s generation would reconsider?

Ruskin bond: When I was a boy, I love walking and cycling. But now, it doesn’t feel safe anymore. I used to walk all over the city when I lived in delhi, even from connoght place to the red fort.

The Traffic Now Make Walking Difidence, Both here in Mussoorie and in Delhi. It’s just the blare of car horns. You get used to it even, but I’d Much Rather Hear Birds, but unfortunately, the traffic and helicopters have scared them away.

You learn to live with it. Otherwise, I have to move to the next mountain and hope they do not follow me there.

Life changes, but thankfully, some things remain: books to read and friends to talk to. And now and then, when one of the young people in the house take me for a drive outide must be mussoorie, I can go for a short walk, Hear a few birds, and enjoy a bit of peace.

But right next to the house, it’s hard. Town life is slowly consuming the countryside, and it seems that is just the way it is.

Q. Technology has changed how we tell stories, from podcasts to audiobooks. Do you feel something essential has lost, or is it simply an evolution?

Ruskin bond: It’s an evolution, I suppose. As long as people still care about stories, I’m happy. Whaer it’s a print book or someone narrating it on a podcast, the gist of the story remins. It’s how we share our humanity.

Q. Travel adventures are of centred in your stories. Of all the places you’e lived or traveled to, is that one that holds a special place in your heart?

Ruskin bond made a special appearance in the 2011 Bollywood film Saat Khoon Maafwhich was baded on his short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands. (Screenshot)

Ruskin bond: Apart from Mussoorie, which is home, I have fond memories of jamnagar, where I lived as a boy, by the sea. Pondicherry was lovely too, during the filming of Saat Khoon Maaf. And I once spent time in gopalpur-on-sea in odisha-stormy, yes, but beautiful and quiet. I like Seaside Places – They Contrast with the mountains. India offers such variety: hills, beaches, deserts. You can spend your whole life here and never run out of new experiencies.

Q. Your New Book, How to Be You, Feels Like A Quiet Manifesto on Living Authentically. Was self-hassures always a part of your nature?

Ruskin bond: (Laughs) Well, I’m still trying to be me. That is the honest answer. I hope the book helps a few young people. I think self-esunce comes over time-With experience, with solitude, and with acceptance. You stop trying to impress and start enjoying being who you are.

Q. Is there a hidden talent or hobby your readers might be surprised to know about?

Ruskin bond: I’m not sure I have any hidden talents. Writing has always be botH my profession and my passion. Beyond that, I do have a quirky little knack for tongue twisters – a skill i’e picked up over the years. I can breeze through some of the trickiest ones, like “peter picker picked a peck of pickled peppers” or “she sells sells sea shea sheashore,” without skipping a beat. Not too bad for someone in his 90s, i’d say. I suppose it the writer in me, still delighting in the rhythm and mischief of words.

Q. Lastly, you reached a remarkable milestone of 91 years. What is one valuable life Lesson youye learnt?

Ruskin bond: Life is a precious gift – Make the most of it. Do somethingful with your time, and giving something of yourself to others. Use it meaningfully: create, contribute, and leave something to behind. As the latin proverb says, “Ars longa, vita brevis” – Art is long, life is short.