Anupam: What do you foresee for Pune?
Ravi: Pune has powerful things for it. The number of educational centers, defence labs, and a good climate is unmatched. We can be a knowledge city. Unfortunately we have not aggressively marketed our city, we have not developed our infrastructure well. Other CM’s have been very aggressive. We should’nt hand over our destiny to politicians. Industrialists can take a big initiative and attract opportunities and investments.. You need passion to drive it. Civic activism needs to be revived. Pune is one of the last beautiful cities left, we shouldn’t screw it up. You can change it in 5 years.

Anupam: Who are your idols and motivators in life?
Ravi: My mother was a big motivator forcing me to do my homework. She drove into me the desire to work hard. My father too was a complete man-very religious, a great Sanskrit scholar and mathematician, he inspired me. My elder sister Mailini is married to a doctor, she is very close to me. Anu Aga, chairperson, Thermax, touched my life in courageous ways. From Ratan Tata I learnt a lot--that we succeed due to our customers, we have to help our customers, if we lose sight of customers we lose. My boss at Cummins, Tim Solso taught me about integrity, not doing what is convenient.

Anupam: Are you religious?
Ravi: I am spiritual, though organized religion means going to temples, it is beautiful, giving people inner strength. For me the inner journey is more important, to impact human lives, to see God in yourself. Tatva masi—I am that. Good to say that intellectually, but to experience and act in that way is difficult. I recite Shri Rudram- an ancient set of chants from Vedas in praise of Lord Shiva. When I am disturbed I chant it, it helps me de-stress. I am by nature a very impulsive person in everything.

Anupam: What are your other interests and hobbies?
Ravi: I am very fond of reading on all subjects. I love history, Gibbons—‘Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.’ ,I love world war II. Most business books are junk. I read science, astronomy and biology. I love western classical and used to be very passionate about art and music, playing flute and harmonica.

Anupam: How is your day like? How do you cope up with stress?
Ravi: Most days I am not at home. Day begins at 6 a.m., breakfast at 7,each meeting 30 minutes. No two meetings are same, no time for lunch. Evenings are dinners with customers or employees. The best time is on flight, good time to relax and read.
The best way to deal with stress is to see it positively. I learnt yoga, pranayamand meditation at Isha yoga Institute, Coimbature, this has helped me relieve stress. Friends help, they relieve a lot of stress. I am learning a lot about time management. Weekends are more for friends and family. Now I run a lot, I was a long distance runner, it helps me relax a lot(10 kms everyday).I use to mountain bike a lot.

Anupam: How come you are still a bachelor? Do you believe in fate?
Ravi:I mismanaged my personal life, I regret it. I have realized when it happens, it happens, these things are fated. I would prefer a professional person. I never made the time to develop a quality relationship. For a long time I wanted it in more terms. I am more open to starting a family now. Yes, of course I believe in fate and also re-incarnation, it makes sense to me, why bad things happen to good people. I thought a lot about why my father suffered, he was so profound, good, I don’t have an answer, still have a lot of question marks. Maybe I haven’t yet reached a high level of actualization. Very often suffering produces a lot of learning. We are all here to learn and grow. I don’t know about my destiny. I have to give meaning to my life. For me learning, continuous learning and making a difference is important. Learning is fun and also my job, so it is interesting

Anupam: Technology has also broken down relationships,especially the internet.Comments?
Ravi: Promiscuity is due to repression, as constraints are removed. People do it because they have no purpose in life.We must try to find meaningful purposes in life, instill stronger values. Parents are very important. You have best of parents. When parenting breaks down, schools break down, when media breaks what to say? Blaming techno is no solution.

Anupam: Which are the sectors which you foresee growth on the internet?
Ravi:Payment security is v.imp. Judicial system is not in place to enforce. You can’t return things on the net. We can’t provide technology,we are not into services. E commerce will be fast in B to B, whereas reverse auctions, supply chain management. Entertainment also will be huge.

Anupam: On your meeting with Bill Gates.
Ravi:Bill Gates is the smartest businessman in the last 100 yrs. He came to open the door of his office, welcomed me in and made me comfortable instantly. He showed amazing curiosity to learn my engine business. Its all about chemistry, that was good.

©Anupam V Kapil