Do those twists of fate mean there is a special purpose to your life?
I am not thinking in those terms. I do not want to think of tomorrow and what it will give me or what it has in store for me, but rather live each day as it comes, and do my best when asked to perform a certain task. I take one day at a time and that is the way I have always been.
As a child, I used to dream of becoming an archaeologist, or a journalist, both professions my quite traditional parents would not deem acceptable for a girl, as it meant travelling a lot, and maybe in the company of men…

Later on, after my father’s demise, as I was profoundly distressed, a friend convinced me to take on gemmology studies in Mumbai, instead of further sinking into depression. I then realized how challenging it is for girls desiring to study this science far away from home (in a foreign environment such as Mumbai) and decided to establish a Gemmology Institute in Hyderabad itself.

On the topic of women, how do you manage to combine your life as a politician, a mother and a wife?
Actually, without the support of my family, I could never make it. My husband helped a lot without ever patronizing or spoon-feeding me when I first entered politics. And to this day, he is my staunchest critic, which helps strengthening me. He also helps in the constituency when I am away, keeping me abreast of things.

... contd.