Written with warmth, wit, and an infectious sense of curiosity, The Fascination Station transforms overlooked details, quirky discoveries, and familiar experiences into captivating stories. A charming companion for anyone who believes that fascination is never far away… Vikas Swarup Renowned Author and Distinguished Diplomat **** …As you read this delightful book, you become a co-traveller revelling in the wonder of seeking new moorings, seeing what most miss, and throwing light on fascinating facets of life that are often lost in the shadow. This book does not shout, it whispers and gently envelops you, one story after another, asking you to read and relish it slowly… Dr N. S. Rajan Former CEO-IDFC Foundation and former Group CHRO and Member – Group Executive Council at Tata Sons **** …While it could come across as a casual read the writing is really insightful with well researched evidence and profound thought. It is indeed a superb collection of varied experiences that remind us of the need to live a meaningful life in a world full of wonders of people and places… M M Murugappan Former Chairman, Murugappa Group **** Vijay's book tells us how life becomes richer when we remain open to surprise, wonder and delight. Capt. G R Gopinath Soldier, Author, Entrepreneur and pioneer of low-cost aviation in India This book is a personal collection of essays drawn from episodes of my podcast THE FASCINATION STATION WITH VIJAY, along with a few pre-podcast adventures. I invite readers to rediscover the world around them, not through grand spectacles, but through the quiet marvels hiding in plain sight. From forgotten corners of history to overlooked cultural gems, from the humble idli to unusual institutions and curious places, each chapter celebrates curiosity, wonder, and the art of noticing. The essays are designed as standalone pieces, connected not by chronology but by a mindset: the joy of exploration. Many of these stories are rooted in personal experience. Over the years, listeners and readers have described my style as conversational, reflective, and gently humorous. They are less about instruction and more about shared discovery. In an age of constant stimulation and information overload, this book is meant as a small antidote: a reminder that fascination doesn’t require distant travel or viral trends. It exists all around us, waiting patiently to be noticed, only if we are willing to look. A storyteller, traveller, and lifelong explorer of the extraordinary hidden in the everyday. Vijay (that's the way he is commonly addressed) is an alumnus of IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad. His four-decade-plus professional career included 24 years as CEO in prominent family-owned enterprises. His longest stint in India was with the Murugappa Group before spending 17 years with the Khimji Ramdas Group in Muscat, Oman, where he also penned a popular weekly film review column for Muscat Daily. He has contributed widely to leading Indian business publications. Since retiring in 2018, Vijay has devoted himself to his true calling: observing the world with wonder. In January 2025, he launched the audio podcast The Fascination Station with Vijay (now 50 episodes strong), blending trivia, cultural insight, and personal anecdotes, with listeners often describing it as "vicariously traveling through his stories." A traveller across 70+ countries with an eye for the quirky and the overlooked, Vijay lives in Bengaluru with his wife, who is the daughter of celebrated Kannada literary figure Dr. G. P. Rajaratnam. Their son and his family are based in Singapore.