“Poor chap, he is blind"

“Poor chap, he is blind"

What is that one thing that you would like to change in yourself?

I would like to be a little more disciplined in time management. I would also like to be able to refrain myself from certian desires that might be a hindrance in achieving my goals.

If you were reborn, you would like to be born as?

I would like to be reborn as 'ME' only.

Who is your favorite writer?

I like the work of Stephen Covey who is a management expert. Arthur Hailey; TT Rangarajan; Leo Buscaglia (Felice Leonardo); Ashok Banker (fiction writer) and Chetan Bhagat are my other favorites.

Five things you cannot live without?

I don't think there is anything one cannot live without but if I have to choose it will be my car, watches, badminton and music.

What's your most embarrassing moment?

In Tamil language there is a word which has two meanings 'to know' and 'to see.' Once in college, a group of boys was standing approximately 50 ft away from me. A guy from that group asked me in tamil “Do you see me?” I thought he was asking whether I know him or not. I shouted back saying, “No I don't.” He again asked me the same and I replied the same. While crossing me those guys commented, “Poor chap, he is blind.”

Apart from this, another one was a speedometer needle prank that my friends played on me. Both these incidents were funny and embarrassing as well.

Who are your favorite artists?

In music I like Karthik, Sonu Nigam and my all time favorite is Kishore da. Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Surya and Vikram are my favorite movie stars.

The best compliment you have received so far?

When I started my business, I had almost no money left and one day my mother asked me to get a packet of salt. I asked her to give me money to buy it and she exclaimed that I did not even have enough money to buy a packet of salt! Then times changed and in 1998-99 The DQ Week wrote about me. My mother read that and gladly said, “I am extremely enthralled and proud to have you as my son.”

What has been the most memorable event of your life?

When I held my elder son in my arms for the first time, I was gratified.

Who is your idol in life?

My friend, philosopher and guru is TT Rangarajan. He is the one who has helped me in being whatever I am today. I have also got tremendous support from Peter Theobald, who has been an inspiration and Prabakar Kini who is a father figure. My wife has been a strong pillar of support throughout my life.

Your advice to upcoming entrepreneurs?

I would just like to say that a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

I see myself contented with a satisfaction of having contributed to the society in its upliftment.

Interviewed by Nisha Sahni

(nishas@cybermedia.co.in)