The Only Field Guide of Its Kind in India
Break the Block
5 citizens. 10 years. 1 impossible victory.
The brutally honest playbook for changing your city when you have no power, no money, and no political connections.
5 citizens. 10 years. 1 impossible victory.
The brutally honest playbook for changing your city when you have no power, no money, and no political connections.
What a decade of persistence achieved
This is what happens when ordinary citizens refuse to accept "no" and outlast 4 Chief Ministers, unite 39 organizations, and persist for a decade.
As Covered By
View All Coverage →Testimonials from those who know the terrain
"Shows how positive change requires remarkable vision, passion, and persistence. An inspiring read!"
"A lived account of how dialogue, persistence, and citizen-government partnership brought suburban rail to Bengaluru."
"A masterclass in citizen advocacy. Sathya didn't just fight the battle—he documented the playbook."
"Most people give up too quickly. This book proves them wrong."
"Proof that ordinary citizens with evidence and persistence can move the unmovable."
What makes Break the Block different
This book includes the actual emails and government responses from the campaign
[...previous discussion...]
"It expresses a grandiose, pious intention but grossly oversimplifies both the issue and the solution."
[...end of email...]
📌 The Turning Point: This dismissive email from the head of Bangalore Metro became a catalyst. Chapter 6 reveals exactly how the team responded—and why this rejection ultimately strengthened the campaign.
Six key chapters from the decade-long campaign
Experience the book firsthand. Read the complete Introduction and first two chapters absolutely free—no signup required.
Choose a chapter to start reading:
From quick insights to deep-dive course materials, choose your depth of learning.
One per chapter. The core principle distilled.
Tactical wisdom embedded in each chapter.
Deep-dive with What/Why/How format.
Everything you need to know
This book is for activists seeking practical tactics, policy students wanting real-world case studies, engaged citizens wondering how to change their city, and public servants seeking to understand citizen perspectives. If you've ever felt powerless against bureaucracy or wondered if ordinary people can really make a difference, this book is for you.
Break the Block will be published in January 2026. Pre-order information and exact release dates will be announced soon.
Unlike academic policy textbooks, this is a real campaign story written by someone who lived it, not an observer. Unlike typical memoirs, it explicitly extracts 46 actionable lessons (12 Key Lessons + 34 Chapter Insights) you can apply to your own campaigns. It's both an engaging narrative and a practical field guide—showing you the "how," not just the "why."
The book contains 12 chapters with 12 Key Lessons and 34 Chapter Insights distilled from a decade-long campaign. Plus 83 Extended Takeaways available in the course. It's designed to be an accessible read—substantive enough to provide real value, but not so academic that it becomes a chore.
Break the Block will be available in paperback and digital formats (Kindle/eBook). Purchase options will include major retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and direct from the publisher.
While the story takes place in Bengaluru, the lessons are universal. The tactics for navigating bureaucracy, building coalitions, using data effectively, and maintaining momentum over years apply to civic campaigns anywhere. Readers from Mumbai to Manila, Delhi to Denver will find applicable insights.
Yes! The Introduction and first two chapters are available to read online for free. Scroll up to the "Read Online" section or visit the online exclusive lessons page to see what you'll learn from each chapter.
Available in paperback and digital formats
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