That morning, I was scheduled to catch an early flight from Ahmedabad to Kolkata. Around 5 a.m., I quietly pushed open the door to her bedroom downstairs. The room was dim, still, as if it too was holding its breath. She was asleep, lying motionless in the bed, the soft rhythm of her breathing the […]
As I sat in front of my desktop on the sweltering Saturday afternoon of April 19, the wanderlust within me refused to sit still. Though I was in Ahmedabad for just a handful of days, the thought of a short road trip started shimmering like a mirage. Bindu Sarovar—one of India’s five holiest lakes had
Ashis was a man of sharp intellect, yet what made him truly remarkable was his warmth, humility, and innate ability to put people at ease. He carried no arrogance despite his brilliance and no sharp edges despite his incisive mind. Whether in the intense world of academia or in the playful company of a child,
With Malice Towards None Read More »
There’s something deeply liberating about a long road journey — the kind that lets you set your own pace, veer off the beaten track, and stop wherever a curious turn or a sudden hunger pang beckons. It’s the kind of freedom only the open road offers, and we’ve always been drawn to it. On February
Journey to Sadakmaliya Read More »
On a sunny Sunday, January 19, 2025, we found ourselves in Ahmedabad, reminiscing about our frequent absences from this vibrant city due to our decision to split our lives between two states. Sundays have a special charm and today was no exception as we eagerly anticipated our beloved breakfast of parathas paired with gobhi-alu subji,
A Culinary Journey with Sitaben: Our Michelin Star Chef Read More »
I usually stick to direct flights when traveling, but sometimes a layover can be the smarter choice. Take my recent trip from Ahmedabad to Chennai, for instance. The two direct flight options weren’t ideal: one would have me waking up at 4 a.m., only to arrive hours before hotel check-in and wait in the lobby.
Travails of Air Travel in India Read More »
In the quiet hum of the flight back to Ahmedabad from Delhi that September evening in 2010, a profound sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had successfully secured Dr. Manmohan Singh’s agreement to be the Chief Guest at IIMA’s Golden Jubilee Convocation, scheduled for March 26, 2011. The following day, I wrote to Dr.
Two Leaders, One Stage: A Tale of Vision and Leadership Read More »
My first encounter with Dr. Manmohan Singh occurred in the latter half of 1992 at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). The meeting was arranged by Dr. Ashok Desai, who was then the Chief Consultant for the Finance Ministry. At the time, there was a palpable sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of the
A Gentleman Prime Minister Read More »
As I embarked on my first year as a professor at IIM Ahmedabad, I was tasked with conducting the summer/preparatory program for a select group of about 40 students from the incoming MBA batch. These students were identified as needing additional coaching in communication skills and mathematics before the regular program commenced. My team consisted
Perils of Being a Teacher Read More »
I learned about Vistadome coaches on trains in India just a few months ago. The ignorance resulted from not having travelled by train for a long time. I watched with fascination the videos posted on You Tube of journeys in Vistadome coaches. These coaches have fully rotatable plush push back chairs, large glass windows, and
Train Journeys of Yesteryears Read More »
