Forbes India - The 100 Richest Indians (Collector's Edition)

A Long Shelf Lifebillionaires on the books that have had an impacton them and the ones they keep going back toAnil Rai GuptaChairman and md, Havells IndIaHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, the 1936 bestseller, is like my constant friend that has helped carve me into the individual I am. It forever reminds me of my father [Qimat Rai Gupta] who embodied every quality that Carnegie recommended, and pens down all those values—that my father always taught me—so beautifully. It has been a strong force in enhancing my interpersonal skills and professional capabilities, and is a strategy guide to success, both inside and outside the workplace. I read this book once every year, create my own CliffsNotes and keep reviewing them.Currently, I am reading The Last Spring: The Saga of the Great Mughals by Abraham Eraly. I have been an avid reader of Indian history since the prime years of my life. The best part about reading history is that facts speak for themselves. What makes me want to read more and more about history and, in particular, dynasties is the opportunity to learn from their successes and failures, hits and misses, managing a family business and enduring legacies. I am halfway through the book and the magnificent illustrations of the grandeur of the Mughal Empire do not orientation and thrift in cease to fascinate me. Eraly has written on various ages of Indian history and it’s fascinating to read his works.— As told to Neeraj Gangal NR Narayana MurthyFounder, InfosysThree books that have influenced me much are The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi, The Protestant Ethicand the Spirit of Capitalismby Max Weber and Peau Noire Masques Blancs Black , (Skin, White Masks) by Frantz me in my career, and has Fanon. These books have taught me the importance of truth and good conduct in leading a worthwhile life; hard work, community building a prosperous society; and why the rich, powerful and elite in a post-colonial society imitate their former colonisers.Right now, I am reading Our Mathematical Universeby Max Tegmark of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as I’m interested in physics and mathematics. The book conveys that the physical reality of our universe can be expressed elegantly in mathematics.—As told to Anshul Dhamija RS AgarwalFounder and exeCutive Chairman, emamIThe one book that has impacted me the most is Think and Grow Richby Napoleon Hill. It tells you the steps needed to create wealth and be successful in business. Hill writes it is essential to have a definite purpose, a mastermind and an eye for detail to succeed. The book has greatly influenced acted as a Bible to set the foundation of my business.I am currently reading My Years with General Motorsby Alfred P Sloan, Jr. It is a fascinating read. If you have to read one book on business, then it is this. It is a treasure trove of ideation, 102 | forbes india december 29, 2017[b o o k s]Richest IndIans 100 The

showing how Sloan executed his ideas successfully. He was a visionary who saw to it that General Motors became a leading automobile company. —As told to Sayan Chakraborty RS GoenkaFounder and whole-time direCtor, emamIThe teachings of the Bhagavad Gita have greatly influenced me in viewing life and its ups and downs from the correct perspective. I have found the Bhagavad Gita’s call for selfless action and to do what is right very inspiring. It has a deep-rooted significance and is extremely relevant to our lives. It has helped me develop the right physician and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee is a must-read for everyone. I read this Pulitzer-winning book in 2011 and it has remained with me because of the clarity and precision attitude towards life, work, family and others, and helped bring clarity to my thoughts and actions.I am currently reading Foundations of Corporate Success by John Kay. This book lucidly explains the sources and sustainability of the competitive advantage of businesses.—As told to Sayan Chakraborty with which the author writes about a complex disease like cancer.I am currently reading a fascinating book called Sapiens by a brilliant Israeli author, Yuval Noah Harari. It was recommended to me by my niece and it is riveting. It is an exceptional piece of anthropological writing that is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand why we are humans. It provides deep insight into how we have evolved from hunters into sophisticated thinkers. It’s so wonderfully written that you don’t need to be a biologist to understand what human evolution is all about. It is truly impactful in every way as it helps you understand why we emote in certain ways, how we respond to threats and what induces us to be caring. —As told to Harichandan Arakaliimpression on me because I am very nation-minded as well. Many of the things I have tried to do, even at Cipla (which was set up by my father Khwaja Abdul Hamied to make India self-reliant in health care), have been with keeping national interests in mind. In fact, I think the book is worth reading again for youngsters. —As told to Aveek DattaYK Hamiednon-exeCutive Chairman,CIplaOne of the books I had read early on in life, and which had a lasting impact on me, was Our India by Minoo Masani, an Indian politician and freedom fighter who wrote the book in 1940. I had read the book during the Partition in 1946-47, when I was 11 years old. The book was all about India and the problems it faced, and it suggested measures by which those challenges could be overcome. I still remember what was written and even have a copy of the book somewhere in my office. It had a lasting and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge.I am currently reading Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari. I am reading it since I read and liked his previous book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. —As told to Sayan Chakraborty Kiran Mazumdar-ShawChairperson and md, BIoConThe Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by India-born American Senapathy GopalakrishnanCo-Founder, InfosysMany books have influenced me. One book recently prompted me to delve deeper into understanding the brain and invest in brain research. The book is The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. It is a book on neuroplasticity by psychiatrist december 29, 2017 forbes india | 103

104 | forbes india december 29, 2017branson: Lucy nichoLson / reuters; wiLde: shutterstock; Lewis: regis duvignau / reuters; carrey: susana vera; chopra: noeL vasquez/getty images; buffett: Lucas Jackson / reutersmost people would assume my business success, and the wealth that comes with it, have brought me happiness. but I know I am successful, wealthy and connected because I am happy. —RichaRd BRansonPeople hate me because I am a multifaceted, talented, wealthy, internationally famous genius. —JeRRy Lewis[t h o u g h t s]On WealthI think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamt of so they can see that it’s not the answer.—Jim caRReyNo man is rich enough to buy back his past.—oscaR wiLdeI always knew I was going to be rich. I don’t think I ever doubted it for a minute. —waRRen BuffettSpiritual people should not be ashamed of being wealthy. —deepak chopRaIf wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire.—GeoRGe monBiotIf you are willing to do only what’s easy, life will be hard. but if you are willing to do what’s hard, life will be easy.—t haRv ekeRWealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool.—senecaRichest IndIans 100 The

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