How do you find the energy to stay in politics?
It is pretty tough. But I try to prioritize. Some people eat, breathe, live politics. I don’t. I am Priya Dutt, an every day girl in my normal life. I go to the market, I do my groceries; it gives me a semblance of normalcy, and the feeling that I am still grounded. I like the simple things of life, spending time with my family and my kids.

Besides, I do not look at anything as permanent. I know that everything comes and goes. Fame or money are here today; tomorrow they may not be here anymore. So you can’t become too dependent on anything. Do you work and keep your feet on the ground. That is what will help you survive through the ups and downs of life.
Tomorrow, if I don’t have all of this it won’t make a big difference. My life will still go on, I will still have my family, I will still be who I am.
So I prioritize and my priority will always be my children and my family.

Therefore, I don’t travel too much, I try and work as much as possible from Bombay. Also, I don’t do too much of political lobbying because I can’t afford to do it --- I have enough responsibilities, I should only take as much as I can handle and deliver.

All along, have you felt the presence of a protective or guiding force in your life?
I completely believe in this, especially looking at the way our family lives have unfolded and all that we have gone through. It’s been crazy, right from the time of my mum’s illness and her death, my brother’s illness and recovery, and so on. We have gone through huge ups and downs.

... contd.