Flip side with G Srinivasan, Chairman, New India Assurance

The Surprise That was Not
Everybody in my family thought I was joining LIC when I told that I was joining an insurance company. None knew that general insurance existed.

Constant Complaint
My mother was extremely upset that I was leaving Chennai. She said why couldn’t I do something in Chennai itself. Even now, she hasn’t stopped asking me to come back to Chennai.


Hobbies
I listen to music, especially Carnatic. I watch a lot of movies and sports on television. Football has now overtaken cricket. MS Subbulakshmi and Maharajapuram Santhanam (vocal) are favourites.

Childhood’s Shattered Dream
I was good at Mathematics. I wanted to be an engineer. But I went into Commerce and did well academically. It is not like the children of this generation. It was all about studying well and picking up whatever came your way.

Favourite Author
I read a lot of books in my mother tongue. Thirukkural, couplets by Tiruvalluvar and writings of freedom fighter and revolutionary poet Subramanya Bharathi are favourites.

Life After Retirement
I would like to travel a lot. I like to see different cultures.

Religious Beliefs
I am a big follower of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, which I picked up from Ramakrishna Mission.

State of Ecstasy
Recently, I saw nine tigers in Ranthambore. In Kenya’s Masai Mara, I saw 8-9 lions together.

Superstition
I don’t change my seat. For example, the current one has been there since I came. Normally, people tend to change.

Advice to Beginners
Work hard. Means are more important than the ends.

Work-life Balance
It is a challenge when work takes a lot of your time. Only way I balance it is by not indulging in any other activity. It is either work or home for me.