I would like to thank the team at Packt Publishing. Richard, thanks a lot for finding my blog on Spring Integration and presenting me with an opportunity to share my knowledge in a more formal way and with a wider audience, and thanks for answering all of my questions with such patience—a few of which often took pages! I would like to thank Sharvari and Ritika, who are the content development editors for this book. Sharvari's support and help with the technical review and incorporation of subsequent feedback was unprecedented. Aman Preet, the technical editor of the book, did a brilliant job with the final edit.

The greatest support is not what we see but the silent love and prayers of all our well-wishers. My parents' blessings have always been with me. They are not technical and they do not understand what I do—but their unflinching confidence in me that whatever I am doing must be correct not only pumps up my confidence, but also puts a lot of responsibility on me. I hope I will not disappoint them ever.

Without a supportive family, it's extremely difficult to achieve anything significant—and I consider myself lucky on that front. I am indebted to the charming smiles of my 2-year-old son, Aadish, and my 4-year-old daughter, Aashirya—their innocent smiles always remind me that happiness is beyond material success or anything else. As for my better half, Priyanka, I honestly believe that her work is more creditable than mine. Bringing up two small kids without any help from me, while at the same time supporting me throughout this assignment—a simple "thanks" will be too small a word for her, so I will leave it up to her to understand my gratitude!