Celeb Bites
Sanjay Jha
Sanjay Jha is director of the Dale Carnegie operations in India. But that’s not the feather in his cap. What is, is that he is a respected public opinion maker who speaks clearly, eloquently and boldly. He is a forthright voice of India on matters ranging from economic policy, political developments, legislative matters and societal, and civil society, issues. And he loves food and dogs!
Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor
Location: Gaylord, Bombay
You must be exhausted with all things politics so let’s talk food first, what does it mean to you?
Lots. More than eating, I want to get going, cooking! I love to cook. It’s like an art form to me. Ingredients have magic to them, finding the right proportions, balance, mixing, following a method, putting it all together, serving it and then waiting for the response, the verdict. It’s like the artist putting up his work in an art gallery on opening night, waiting for the response, the applause, the adulation!
Oh my, that’s quite a mouthful of a gourmet opening, are you really a good cook?
You will have to ask Pallavi, my wife. She was pleased with the Italian repertoire I cooked up for her at her last birthday. With tiramisu complete.
Must have been a symphony, what’s your weakness?
Making desserts. I love that. I cut my teeth on that. You can’t go wrong with sugar and double cream, the lowest hanging fruits!
What comes to mind when I ask what’s your favourite food?
Caesar salad! Aloo Katli, Bhag Dal, Aloo Bhujiye! I am a hardcore Bihari, in mind, heart and taste buds!
Any other weaknesses, alcohol?
Done and dusted in that department. When I was a lot younger, I had a bad bhaang experience. I thought I would die! The world was spinning out of control, it felt. Apart from the huge embarrassment, it could have been a medical disaster, I was that dehydrated. Slowly I eased off. Now it’s the occasional wine or champagne when a celebration demands.
But you do have a weakness, tea?
That, yes! I am a tea addict. Drink 8 to 10 cups a day. Only my morning mug is with milk. Rest all without milk or sugar. The best tea is a combination of Assam and Darjeeling, in my opinion. Strength and flavour. Sometimes I add Earl Grey. At night I drink chamomile or peppermint.
What about what we are eating here at Gaylord; Chicken a la Kiev, Prawn Thermidor, Garden Green?
It’s mind boggling what Gaylord continues to do. I am coming here after decades. Apart from the food which is superlative, look at the ambience! So stylish and sophisticated, so charmingly old-world. Like the best of London, my most favourite city in the world, before or after New York, that is!
Really, London, why?
Its history, parks, walks, restaurants and food. Then of course there’s Wimbledon and tennis, my favourite sport. London is like home to me, my comfort city.
Any other city you call home that you love?
Has to be Berlin. I find it to be most fascinating. Love walking around the city. It has the friendliest of Germans, and as a lover of history I try to garner a lot of it through them, sitting at cafés, which are among the best in the world, I think.
So does that mean you like to travel?
Of course and how! I don’t mind any of the negatives that travel involves, not planes, not delays, not jet lags, not even airline food. I would be on a plane hitting a beach four times a year if I could!
A place you are simply waiting to explore would be…
Latin America! Can’t wait to get to Columbia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil… haven’t been that side. Also, Russia…
Where did you study?
Bishops’ High School, then graduated from Fergusson College. MA from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. All in Poona. Later, MBA from XLRI in Jamshedpur. Then PhD in Economics on Agricultural Finance, from the University of Patna.
Have you ever lived abroad?
Nope. Refused job offers anywhere, everywhere. I wanted to live in India. I love my India.
Which actually brings me to your corporate and political life. You have written several books, three bestsellers, been the National Spokesperson for the Congress Party, you are invited to share your views on television, participate in panel discussions and live debates, you write for newspapers, have a fan following on social media. In short, you are quite the rockstar in this arena.
Arena is the word! The political theatre does consume a lot of my time. But it’s more than just an adrenaline rush for me. I am committed to the cause of our great nation and do my best to contribute with as much honesty and dedication.
How did it all start?
In 2004, when the Congress was getting written off and they were looking down a deep, dark hole, Pallavi happened to meet Jairam (Ramesh) at a function. He learnt about my Dale Carnegie connection. In that context I was invited to come meet Sonia Gandhi. I was elated at that and landed up with handling their media, conceptualising a political campaign.
So how would you describe this side of you?
I am ideologically a Gandhian. Politically, a Nehruvian and quite simply a modern day maverick!