Ajay Piramal

“We will follow in letter and spirit whatever the RBI rules and guidelines are - whether at the holding company level or individual company level.”

“We are disciples of Krishna, and we look at ourselves like Arjun in the battlefield.”

“Demonetisation was always on the government's radar and was part of the plan from day one when Narendra Modi took over as prime minister, as he was concerned about the black money.”

“I am overall optimistic about India's growth.”

“In pharma or in information, you have to invest for three or four years, and then you start seeing returns.”

“You cannot have the financial system crippled because of lack of decision making and lack of quality people.”

“The role of a trustee is to ensure beneficiaries get the best returns, without the trustee benefitting.”

“Sometimes, we get mixed up when we say that profit is not important for stakeholders. Oxygen is not the reason a person lives. But it is essential to have oxygen, although it's not the only reason for a person's existence. It is similar for profit.”

“Horses and dogs were part of my growing up years.”

“Humility, we say, is very important because we feel humility means the ability to listen, the ability to respect another's opinion and to find that everybody around you in some subject knows more.”

“There will be good times, and there will be bad, but one has to, to the extent possible, take things in one's stride.”

“We take dispassionate view of our investments. Does it mean that we are looking out to monetise the investment? That is not correct. But if we get an offer that we cannot refuse, as I say, then it is not that we are not, that we will still hold on to the investment.”

“Governance is very important in NBFCs.”

“Our risk systems and processes - we keep investing and improving them.”

“Our philosophy always teaches us that you can have intense activity, but inside, you have to have peace. The office has to reflect that.”

“Manufacturing is finite, but human intellect is infinite. Textile is all about manufacturing, and industries like pharmaceuticals are all about human intellect.”

“Life looked bleak when I became chairman of the group at the age of 29. But I survived, as the Lord must have carried me when I needed Him the most.”

“Normally, Indian companies follow the trend set by companies abroad. There is usually a long lag period.”

“Buying a house is not an overnight decision, and people can wait for 3 to 6 months.”

“We are a very systems- and process- driven business which reports directly to the board, whether it is risk or legal.”