The vagaries of a successful business career are as mysterious as life itself. To cope with success, you have to relax and not take yourself too seriously. Apart from great qualities of head and heart, it takes good fortune to get success. With that fortune and success, you have to do something for others. Obligation is born in success.

Vijay Gokhale graduated from Calcutta and studied engineering in the UK. He joined Union Carbide as a trainee engineer, and rose rapidly. He was a copybook case of success. With 25 years’ service, he was appointed as managing director at 48 in January 1984. It was his best New Year. Union Carbide was a blue chip company, having 14 plant locations and employing 10,000 people. Vijay had a lovely family, was a member of the club and was a highly respected corporate manager.