The Job
I have a disease called creativity. I love creating—ideas, businesses, new worlds. I spend 60-70% of my time in my head, thinking of what’s next. My role is to bring ideas to life and build businesses that create real value, not just chase markets. Businesses should innovate constantly to create genuine value for customers and stakeholders. I don’t compete with others; we compete with ourselves to keep improving and pushing boundaries.
The Weekdays
My weekdays have a rhythm of their own. I sleep early, wake up in about four-and-a-half hours, reflect, jot down ideas, then doze off again. My day starts at 6 AM. I spend two hours thinking, reading,and scanning newspapers. I follow a mix of people on Instagram for bits and pieces of my interests—spiritual leaders, architects, garden designers, chefs. Every morning, I spend a few precious minutes with my grandchildren before they go to school which I cannot do without. Evenings are quiet; I eat early and generally like to spend time alone. I sleep on the floor in my library—it’s my space to think.
The Weekend
My life isn’t divided into work and weekends—it’s all part of one flow. But Sundays have a few fixed things. If I’m in Delhi, I walk in Lodhi Gardens with a group of close friends. We talk, have coffee, sometimes a hearty breakfast. Later, the whole family gets together at home to cook and eat in our garden.This has been a tradition for 20 years. It’s a sacred time for us. We bring ingredients from our travels—cold-pressed olive oil from Greece, cheese from France &Italy, black forest ham from Germany, —and experiment. This meal, all of us together. I try not to miss it.
The Toys
I cannot live without my iPad. All my books, newspapers, Zoom meetings—everything is there. My iPhone and iPad are always with me. I read every day, sometimes for an hour in the evening. Wherever I see a book recommendation, I download it—more than I can read. On flights, I watch movies. Right now, I have four Oscar-nominated ones downloaded. I half-watch, half-read, half-doze off. I’ve been reading since I was a kid—fiction, poetry, Khalil Gibran. It’s the only way to stay connected with great thinkers, philosophers, and the world.
The Logos
I come from the fashion business, and we work with over 150 global brands. So, I’ve been exposed to a lot of them. But some brands just stay with you. SloWear from Italy—every time I’m in Milan, I must pick up a jacket or shoes. Zegna is my go-to for sweaters and jackets. I wear denim like a uniform—mostly the classics. And shoes? Shopping for shoes is my indulgence. My wife and I joke about who has more—she says it’s me, I say her.