SENIOR ADVOCATE SANJAY JAIN ON HIS COLLECTION OF RARE BOOKS

In today's fast paced world, not everyone develops an appreciation of the finer things in life.

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Yet some aesthetes thrive on making time for objects of wonder, beauty and knowledge. As a celebrated collector of rare books and art, distinguished Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India, Sanjay Jain, certainly falls in this category.

He joins Sunday Guardian for an exclusive chat, sharing snippets about his collection of books and his insights on the role they play in his life. Excerpts from an edited interview: Q. When did you discover your passion for collecting books? A: My passion for books began in my university days when I would visit various libraries to prepare for my debates. Over time, I developed a passion for reading different subjects.

"The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand and George Orwell's '1984' had a profound effect on me in my younger days.

I constantly read three-four books in rotation, trying to balance heavier tomes with lighter reads. My collection of books began when I started winning the debating competitions and would receive books as prizes. And it grew during my initial years of struggle as a lawyer. The primary focus while building my personal library was on law books but I have always believed that to be a good lawyer one should read books in other subjects too. I felt if I wouldn't read, my growth as a lawyer would be very stunted. Books gave me the power to present myself as a multidimensional lawyer.