“One thing that I’ve always had in childhood was unlimited access to books. I spent most of my childhood reading all sorts of books and magazines, from Reader’s Digest to Enid Blyton to Outlook. My mother introduced me to books as such and my father later introduced me to political books and oriented me towards intellectual books. He didn’t want me to take up journalism initially but when you’re surrounded by something, you tend to imbibe it.

I used to spend most of my time with my dad discussing different political ideologies, comparing world leaders and movements from different periods, talking about various movements from feminist to Naxalite to Bolshevik to Hindutva, during our dining table conversations.

Even though I used to follow his work as a cartoon journalist, just being surrounded by newspapers, magazines, books, different ideologies, different politicians, leadership and more, oriented me towards picking up writing. Though I’m not a political journalist, it was those conversations that turned me towards journalism. My father was more like a best friend. He was never harsh on me, to be honest, and I firmly believe that any sort of harsh parenting under the guise of “it is for your good” is wrong.

We live very close to the National Highway. So the conversations over long drives, the debates with my dad, they’re what I probably cherish the most.
He had never asked me to do anything in particular. If you like this, do it, else don’t. This is the one statement he always makes to me and I am fortunate to have him in my life who’s more like my intellectual guide. He and his brothers are the first graduates in the family in the midst of a financial crisis. His journey from that to where he is now as a renowned cartoonist inspires me to do a lot more in life and achieve greater heights.”