My first role model
My uncle, who studied at Harvard Business School. He inspired me to apply to the best American schools, regardless of the fact my family could not afford it
My first guru
My history teacher. She was beautiful and an excellent storyteller
My first job
Making candles for my sister. Rs 1 for 15 candles. Truly slave labour
My first boss
Robert Schwartz gave me a job as a dishwasher in his restaurant at Catskill, New York
My first promotion
After two weeks as dishwasher, I became a waiter and Schwartz even let me date his daughter
My first disappointment
Despite my trying really hard, my music teacher told me that I was the most tone deaf person in the class
As told to N. Madhavan
