Vijaypat Singhania’s autobiography is about a full life, and many regrets

The memoir of one of India’s top industrialists gives a glimpse into the life of the business icon, who has been fighting a legal battle with his estranged son Gautam Singhania to “recover what he has lost”. A recent order of the Bombay High Court set aside the order of a Single Bench, restraining the sale, circulation and distribution of Raymond Group patriarch Vijaypat Singhania’s autobiography.

The 83-year-old former Chairman Emeritus of Raymond Group has many feathers in his cap. He took the group to new heights, making it one of the most trusted apparel brands in the country. Passionate about flying, he has broken two world records, including one at the age of 67, and is the recipient of the prestigious Federation Aeronautique Internationale Gold Medal and the Tenzing Norgay National adventure Award for Lifetime Achievement. As chairman of the Governing Council, IIM-Ahmedabad, he was responsible for restructuring its fee structure.

In a rare glimpse into his personal life, the Padma Bhushan awardee gives an account of his relationships with his wife, children, grandkids, parents, as well as a fleeting reference to his affairs. Accepting his follies and foibles, the tone is mostly reflective as when he regrets not making enough attempts to communicate with his brother, or when he speaks about corruption in the country.

The book is divided into five sections, including “The Biggest Mistake of My Life”, where he reveals the single blunder that changed his life for worse. With achievements that go beyond the imagination, his life is an inspiration to many, and yet the missteps make him as vulnerable as any ordinary man.

— Seema Sachdeva