Twenty of us met the President on December 3, 2004 at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present my book 'Mahanta ka Chap' (A Touch of Greatness – encounters with the Eminent).

As we were walking the impressive corridors to the President 's office with paintings on the ceiling, Azim Premji noted, "The British left us some very good things".

As we gathered around the President he requested, "Let not anybody conduct the proceedings. Let us talk informally ". He asked each one to introduce himself.

He said he liked the Acharya Vinoba chapter from 'Encounters with the Eminent' the best. When I said I may bring out another edition adding some more personalities he replied "no, keep it as it is ". I asked him what else he would like me to write on. He raised his eyebrows and said forcefully, "Intellectual Courage".

Azim Premji observed that he found the book easy to read and enjoyable when there is such heavy stuff to read. He said "the questions of the author helped to bring out the character of each personality". The Hindi publisher said he read only one chapter of the English book on Azim Premji and decided to publish it. He said many believe that to make money you have to use improper means. Mr. Premji showed he would rather lose money for 20 months than give a bribe for power connection.

The President spoke of Jamsetji getting the steel plant from America in those days. Sanjay Singh (representative of Tatas in Delhi) spoke of Swami Vivekananda and Jamsetji. R. D. Mathur spoke of the need to gather social capital by our actions.

The President said, "I ask children to change their parents". (He has met about 400,000 children in the last few years). Dr. R. K. Anand gave a beautiful story of a child whose father wanted to give him a certain birthday present and the child folded his hands and said" give me the gift of giving up smoking". The father did.

I said what I found most moving in his autobiography "Wings of Fire" was his Professor Sponder who at a farewell function told him, "Let God be your hope, your stay, your guide and provide you the lantern on your journey into the future".

I added that some of my friends who were there with IofC, with all their frailties were trying to walk in the light of the inner voice.

The Book was presented. Photographs were taken and we left. It was an uplifting occasion for everyone present.

Russi M. Lala