Why I consider 13 to be my lucky number

Are you the sort of person who attaches significance to the number 13?

- Karan Thapar

I do.In fact, I consider it my lucky number. Whenever significant developments are due to happen on that date, I feel confident, even reassured, about them. But I'm not unusual, and I'm certainly not unique. The number 13 plays a significant role in other people's lives as well. Although, of course, for many, if not for most, it’s ominous, even unlucky.

Take the late Atal Behari Vajpayee, for instance. For many, he was their favourite prime minister. Thirteen ran like an astrological leitmotif through the last decade of his life. In 1996, his first government lasted just 13 days. Thirteen months after it was formed, his second was defeated by one vote in Parliament. His best years as Prime Minister were during the 13th Lok Sabha. They began on the 13th of October 1999 and ended on the 13th of May 2004.

In my case, the number has always been fortunate. Or so I believe. But that apart, itruns through my life like an invisible thread of significance. My first school number at Doon was 238, which adds up to 13. At Stowe, it was 490, which is also 13.