'I run nine kilometres a day': T.V. Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel

The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I get up at 5 a.m. I run for 45 minutes, about nine kilometres, wherever I am. My office work starts at 9 a.m. I sleep by 10.30 p.m.

How do you make yourself calm?

I run alone in the morning. It's meditative. I set aside about an hour-and-a-half for myself. My thoughts at this point of time helps me find solutions to complicated stuff.

How do you relax?

I do physical exercises. Spending time with my family, enjoying music, and reading.

Your favourite book?

My favourite subject is history and current affairs. The book that has influenced me the most is Michael Sandel's The Tyranny of Merit.

Are you a travel buff? 

I travel 15 to 20 days a month. I also spend a week in Jamshedpur, the company's headquarters. I live in Mumbai.

Favourite destinations?

Favourite places to visit are Scotland and Norway. I don't like hurried trips. While travelling I like to enjoy the culture and culinary delights of each country.

Do you like music? 

I play the drums. I listen to Western music. I also like jazz. It’s my daughter who introduces me to the latest hits.

Did you achieve anything to your liking? 

I really liked learning drums. It was at the age of 40 that I realised that I haven’t 
learned it. Then I joined a class to learn it.

Favourite food? 

I like Japanese food. I first tried it in Dubai. Later I became its fan. It is healthy and clean.

What all do you remember about your childhood?

My mother's dad, Ikkanda Warrier (first Prime Minister of the erstwhile State of Cochin), a prominent freedom fighter, influenced me a lot during my childhood. He taught me chess and such other stuff. He was the one who told me about the freedom struggle and shaped my ideology.

Are you interested in sports?

I am interested in all sports. I regularly watch cricket, Formula One, soccer, and tennis. I go to watch the ISL matches in Jamshedpur.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

I remember the words of the famous philosopher and writer Deepak Jain, who said that people remember not what you said or did, but how it made them feel.

Do you fear anything?

The biggest fear is not getting time to spend with my family. Another is losing love.

How do you balance business and life? 

I don't carry home my business problems. The idea is to be fully immersed in business when you are in business and completely at home when you are at home. I don't dabble in office matters after 8 p.m.

The person who influenced you the most?

I can't point out just one person. Everyone has influenced me in many ways, from those you worked with, parents, wife, children, relatives, friends.

Your happiest moment?

When my daughter was born. I felt happy when she too had a child. When you make positive changes in people, that also leads to happiness.

What thrills you?

Tatas operate at a global level. So, the challenges too will be of the same level. The thrill is in taking every day as something new and moving forward with the challenges.

Did anything make you feel guilty?

There are many things that you can do for the society. Using CSR funds, you can go beyond what the government does in some areas. It is not a case of guilty feeling, but a motivation to take on the responsibility of doing more for the society.

Your advice to the youth?

I want to let them know that if they have self-confidence, they can achieve anything.