EVEN TODAY, PEOPLE in the Reserve Bank of India have been trying to figure out the real Bimal Jalan. A politician? A diplomat who can keep everybody happy? A statesman? He was a pragmatic governor, liberal at heart-a general physician who would decide what to do with a patient by feeling their pulse. Y.V. Reddy, in contrast, was a specialist who would first recommend a diagnostic study to see what was wrong with the patient.
All in the RBI swear by Jalan's ability to get to the core of an issue, cutting the flab. He would come to the office at 9.30 am and leave at 5 pm, come what may. He would watch good movies at theatres and eat at restaurants across Mumbai. Booking an advance ticket.
For him, for the evening show of a movie on its first day (after rave reviews) was not easy as he had a very special seat preference-down to the row and the seat number. Why? Not for the vantage point for watching the film but for creating the least inconvenience to others. Jalan would walk into the dark auditorium when the film was about to begin and leave a minute before it ended without disturbing others. During the interval, he would stay put, but he would pick such a seat that there would not be much public glare on him.
Among the many new practices that he introduced in the Indian central bank is a bimonthly lunch with a select group of journalists where great non-vegetarian food, ranging from stuffed pomfret to prawn balchao and badami murgh would be served, all from the RBI kitchen run by chef Brian Pais. Jalan, a foodie, is a strict vegetarian. While out of Mumbai, be it Lucknow or Patna, Jalan would take his car out in the morning and stop at roadside stalls to have hot sweet tea in a kulhad and jalebi, kachori, samosa, or litti-chokha. Yes, the RBI governor at a roadside stall. Reddy continued with this but changed the menu, introducing Hyderabadi biryani. Reddy's passion for non-vegetarian food and sweets is well known.
This story is from the February 05, 2023 edition of Business Today India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 05, 2023 edition of Business Today India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Picking Up The Paytm Pieces
Paytm Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma Is Back In The Trenches After Rbi's Recent Action Left Him Without A Banking Platform. There Are Still Some Opportunities, But He Will Have To Move Swiftly To Grab Them
PMS Vs MF The Big Fight
How do mutual funds and portfolio management services match up? Know the score on structure, rules, entry fees, charges, and tax perks to pick the right path for your financial journey
Four Levers Of Enterprise AI Strategy
Wide-scale private sector AI deployment and new AI-based business opportunities and ecosystems can truly supercharge the Indian economy
"Don't let a unique chance slip by"
JEFF MAGGIONCALDA | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | COURSERA
THE INCOMING DISRUPTION
The disruption in the industrial sector is still unknown, but inevitable. Companies need to wake up
THE WHEEL WHISPERER
For Manan Shah, Managing Director of MICL Group, luxury cars are not about showcasing one's wealth or status. It is about personal well-being
TRIPPING WITH TECH
A road trip is an adventure like no other. While you take in the experience, get some peace of mind with these nifty gadgets
Transforming Spaces
WHETHER YOU WANT TO REDECORATE YOUR BEDROOM OR HALLWAY, A GORGEOUS WALLPAPER ADDS FLAIR TO YOUR HOME AND ALLOWS YOU TO STAMP YOUR STYLE IN YOUR NEW ABODE
ALPHATALE
MONEY MANAGERS TO THE AFFLUENT DELIVERED ROBUST RETURNS TO INVESTORS IN THE PAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE BUOYANCY IN THE MARKETS. BUSINESS TODAY DECODES THEIR STRATEGY
"THE ALTERNATIVES SPACE CAN GROW 3X IN FIVE YEARS"
Vikaas M. Sachdeva, MD of Sundaram Alternates, talks about where India's alternative investment industry is headed