Similarly, years later, I had moved to Delhi for a new posting and had bought a lot of new furniture. Again, we went way beyond that month’s pay. I was undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence. The day I needed to find a solution, the additional secretary asked me to help him on some project. And I was handed an envelope of cash as an advance. It happened the very day I needed the money. So I thought “someone” again was playing saviour to my financial mismanagement. Someone was looking after me, saying “this guy needs help, he is not a bad fellow, he is doing the right thing but mucking up his own finances”.
There were so many examples of the sort. Basically, I think it is because I try hard to live within a value system. Therefore, someone must be saying “when this guy gets into difficulty, he deserves a helping hand”.

There were never occasions when you felt let down?
There were definitely occasions when I believed I was not dealt the right kind of cards. But I suppose you cannot expect everyday to get the best cards. And also it is my responsibility not to put myself all the time into situations requiring that protection. It would mean I am not doing my job and am doing something wrong!
Most importantly, I am convinced there is a lot of learning coming from hardship. In a career of 38 years I have had far more difficult jobs than many of my contemporaries. Many tried to discourage me from taking them --- only to seek the same positions years later, as things would have improved, to the point sometimes of trying to oust me!
So hardship sharpens your skills and makes you a better human being.

... contd.