Also, the way things unfolded in my public career were often very serendipitous, leading to significant events I could have never fathomed. For instance, as I was Chairman of the India Tourism and Development Corporation, I was having a running battle with the Minister. I was refusing to do what he wanted me to do. I had suspended someone completely corrupt and was getting constant calls from the Ministry to reinstate him. I did nothing. The Secretary gave me a damning report. It went up to the Prime Minister. I had brought the ITDC from loss to profit. So Mrs. Gandhi decided I would continue there for two years. But the Minister said “over my dead body”. She suggested I choose another posting. Among other things I became in charge of the Festival of India, which took me to New York. This in turn let to my daughter studying at the Fashion Institute there, where she met her husband. So it was all meant to be in this nice way.

If there is such protection and guidance, who does it?
I believe there is a superior controlling Force in the universe, though I cannot define It.

What is your interaction with that Force?
It is based on my conscience, on trying to do the right thing. The vibrations coming from it are those that really protect me. Had I been evil, negative forces would have ultimately destroyed me.

Apart from the Gita, what have been your spiritual inspirations?
Christian theology, as I was brought up in a Catholic school. I knew the scriptures so well and many thought I would become a priest. But I am a Hindu and always took pride in it. I was raised by my aunt as my mother died when I was three years’ old. She would go to the Ganga and take a bath, which I regularly did with her, as much as the pujas and other rituals that she would engage in. Today, I do not practice any rituals but when in a religious place, I often close my eyes for a couple of minutes, and pray, especially for the well being of those around me.

... contd.