Travelogue 4: A Reflection on Leadership and Legacy

Last week, I had the extraordinary honor of meeting the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Shri Shaktikanta Das, at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai. As I waited in the visitor room, my attention was drawn to a remarkable wall—one adorned with photographs of all the past RBI Governors.

Though I have always known of the distinguished legacy of RBI’s leadership, seeing their portraits together on a single wall struck me with a profound realization: I was sitting in a space that has shaped the very backbone of India’s economic journey. The room seemed to echo with the wisdom, decisions, and sacrifices of these individuals who directly or indirectly contributed to India’s growth story.

Since 1935, the Reserve Bank of India has had 26 Governors—starting with Sir Osborne Smith to the current Governor, Shri Shaktikanta Das. A fascinating piece of trivia: Among them is a Bharat Ratna recipient, Shri C.D. Deshmukh; two Padma Vibhushan awardees, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Dr. I.G. Patel; and many more who have earned prestigious international accolades. Seeing the picture of Dr. Raghuram Rajan—one of my favorite economists—on that wall made me smile with admiration.

When I finally sat across Shri Shaktikanta Das, what struck me most wasn’t just his commanding presence as the Governor of India’s central bank, but his warmth and genuine curiosity. Despite his incredibly packed schedule, he took the time to ask about my personal career journey. In that moment, I felt deeply seen and heard.

Reflecting on this later, I realized this is a hallmark of great leadership. Truly exceptional leaders connect with people at a personal level, not because it’s expected, but because they care. Their curiosity about others stems from a place of authenticity, and it leaves an indelible mark.

I feel fortunate to have encountered many leaders who’ve made me feel this way in my life. Their impact has inspired me to carry this forward. I’ve resolved to embrace this quality of connecting deeply with others—taking a moment to pause, listen, and genuinely know the person across from me.

After all, isn’t leadership as much about the human connection as it is about vision and action?