A Long Shelf Life
billionaires on the books that have had an impact
on them and the ones they keep going back toAnil Rai Gupta
Chairman and md,
Havells IndIa
How 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 thisbook 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
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 GangalNR Narayana
MurthyFounder, Infosys
Three books that have
influenced me much are The
Story of My Experiments
with Truth by Mahatma
Gandhi, The Protestant Ethic
and the Spirit of Capitalismby Max Weber and Peau
Noire, Masques Blancs (Black
Skin, White Masks) by Frantz
Fanon. These books have
taught me the importance
of truth and good conduct
in leading a worthwhile
life; hard work, community
orientation and thrift in
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 Universe
by 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 DhamijaRS Agarwal
Founder and exeCutive
Chairman, emamI
The one book that has
impacted me the most
is Think and Grow Rich
by 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
me in my career, and has
acted as a Bible to set the
foundation of my business.
I am currently reading My
Years with General Motors
by 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[books]
Richest
10 0 IndIansThe