I interviewed Ratan Tata on entrepreneurship. Here’s what I took away.

Waiting for the meeting to start, I had time to dwell on RNT and his legacy — the Tata brand. The Tata group, its 150 years of existence, the fact that it contributes over 2 percentage of India’s GDP and does business in the most ethical manner, giving many Indian’s like me, a feeling of great pride. We have surely consumed at least one Tata product, if not more, in our lifetime.

I also thought about the deeply inspiring biography of JRD Tata — “Beyond the last Blue Mountain” that talks about the establishment of the Tata group and its exemplary growth under the stewardship of JRD Tata.

I was just beginning my career when Ratan Tata was named the chairman of the Tata group. Since I was (and still am) an ardent admirer of JRD, I recall wondering how RNT would be able to fill such big shoes.

Over the years, I have closely followed the seamlessness with which he has led India’s largest business conglomerate. As he took the Tata group from strength to strength, my admiration for the man only grew stronger.

I stepped into the meeting with these thoughts running through my head. RNT exuded an aura of simplicity and approachability. He was very kind and gracious. He was also curious and encouraging. He listened, he opined.

Within minutes, I was completely at ease and we had a very meaningful discussion. I then, ever so boldly, asked him to consider being an advisor to our firm, Kalaari. In time, he graciously agreed to this request.

It marked the beginning of my personal association with one of the most outstanding names in India’s business history and a person that I have drawn huge inspiration from — right from the very early days of my career.

I have met him several times since then. Each time, his attention to people and to details, his graciousness, humility, sense of calm as well as his intellect and ability to think rationally have inspired me to no end.

What has stood out for me in my interactions with him is his intellectual curiosity, marked lack of pretentiousness, and his eagerness to contribute towards making the world a better place. He is a perfect picture of how an authentic leader should be. He is an ideal role model for founders who are about to begin as well as entrepreneurs who are leading some of the biggest startups.

I am lucky to have the opportunity to interview him at the launch of our seed program— Kstart, on Feb 5th, 2016.