OF HUMANISM AND BLUNT INSTRUMENTS

What is your first memory?

Standing with my mother on the balcony of our house in Lahore and watching a wedding procession. My mother was holding my sister in her arms. I remember the next year (1947) when we had come to Jalandhar putting a blunt instrument under my pillow, as a dagger. I was six.

What books are you reading?

A novel by Daniel Silva. He writes thrillers on the Mossad and espionage. For the last two years I have only been reading books on brain science, and wondering what neuroscientists would say if they met some of our great mystics.

What movies do you watch?

I don’t really. After I have put Aditya and Anita to bed I try watching television but it’s car chases and fist fights. Then a commercial comes on, so I give up.

What music do you listen to?

Anita has brought music into our house. I like mellifluous qawwals. We listen to classical singers like Mallikarjun Mansur, Abdul Karim Khan, Bhimsen Joshi.

Who do you most admire?

Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Which non-Indian do you admire?

Albert Schweitzer, for his service. Winston Churchill for his leadership in Europe at the time of the Second World War. Not for his views on India or Gandhi.

An Indian law you would change?

The law on trials of people in public life. The proof should change so that they have to justify their disproportionate assets. Sukh Ram (the former telecom minister under PV Narasimha Rao) would have to explain why he had suitcases of money under his bed. There should be no adjournments, all their money should be confiscated, they should be physically incarcerated and banned from public life.

What is the most important thing in your life?

Serving my wife and child.

Which politicians do you admire?

Mr Vajpayee. No one else.

Do you believe in God?

No. I believe in good persons.