Why Did Die Welt mention Forbes India in its article on Boris Becker?

I was happy to be seeing Boris Becker Friday August 3rd; Visit Britain had selected a number of journalists to meet the former world tennis champion at the St Ermin, a charming heritage hotel in central London. We have a journalistic code of conduct which kicks in the moment we step onto professional ground; it includes courtesy and respect for those we interact with. I cannot understand the sneering, arrogant tone that was adopted by Die Welt - the reporter implied that we should all have been there to take Boris Becker apart. Why? Becker hadn't done anything wrong, we were invited by Visit Britain -he represents it as an ambassador- and we were being given an opportunity to interview a world champion in an intimate environment, with lunch thrown in! Boris Becker is in no particular need of publicity. His job as ambassador is unpaid, he was doing the meet as a favour, the least that guests could do was observe a little bit of courtesy. In fact, he gave some interesting and entertaining answers to our questions. I don't know why Die Welt should have singled me on behalf of Forbes India out for my question and subsequent answer (which revealed something about Boris Becker's mindset). Once you get your interview with your subject, that is the best time to throw in any curve balls you wish to - if you are into that game. It is surprising what you can elicit just by being persistent and phrasing a polite question different ways. Eventually your subject will give you something. But to go in offensively and harshly right from the start doesn't earn you any favours and our business is all about creating good relationships that will allow you access on a continuous basis. To do that you must be respectful. Though Visit Britain had warned me that Boris would be short of time, so we needed to ask our questions in open session, I did ask to start a private interview with him. Boris agreed to my request and answered me fully, before being whisked away by government officials. Die Welt, you did our profession no favours that day, you disrupted the working atmosphere and I am very surprised at your hostility to one of your own country's best ambassadors. Remember on the world stage Boris Becker fought and won championships and set world records not for Britain, but for Germany. You may have grabbed some attention on Friday August 3rd, 2012, but I can assure you that Boris Becker will figure on the world stage for a lot longer than your very small reporter will.

Aperture; Forbes India. Olympic innovations

It's been a fabulous week in London. With sportsmen, business leaders, heads of state and visitors descending on the capital en masse, it's pure joy travelling around. People are happy, excited, in team colours, and the atmosphere is electric. I'm having the greatest fun looking behind the scenes with big chiefs for Forbes India. I got lots of fascinating interviews and renewed my admiration for the work of top-of-the range engineers. For this photo-essay on innovations for this Games, I worked closely with Forbes's talented DOP or director of photography, Dinesh Krishnan. Do tell us what you think.

Pranab gets what he wants -the Indian Presidency

My latest post at Coffee House; how Pranab Mukherjee, who has been a pillar of the Congress Party, has won for himself a reward for his hard years of negotiating and trouble shooting on behalf of his masters. I don't think that anyone should be relaxing too much with Pranab as President; there's a reasonable amount of power and executive clout that comes with the post and for once he will have the capacity to make decisions at his own. He is no longer beholden. He has five years to make a difference.It's taken four decades, and denied the PM's job by the party president Sonia Gandhi, he's wrested a great consolation prize. He might not have gotten it had Congress not become so debilitated.

Nice to be back at the Coffee House/Spectator

The forthcoming India presidential election on July 19 was the subject of my post to Coffee House/The Spectator site today. Coffee House has a brand new editor, Isabel Hardman, and in only her first week on the job she is going great guns. She is also a serious writer. I have said that Pranab Mukherjee is likely to get the job of commander in chief; let's see if that happens.

Review; "Gandhi's Outstanding Leadership" by Pascal Alan Nazareth

Dedicated to his late mother Elizabeth Lucy Nazareth, former Indian ambassador and head of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Pascal Alan Nazareth has written an interesting book on Mahatma Gandhi.
There can't be an inspirational figure with more books written about him, but Mr Nazareth has produced an easy to read, carefully researched addition to the list. Perhaps because Pascal Alan Nazareth has been in the position of leading important teams himself, he has decided to examine his subject from the point of view of the Mahatma's leadership qualities. He examines India's most famous son's abilities in communication, organizational, strategizing, and management skills, and Gandhi's influences on contemporary figures.

I like the reader-friendly font and the liberal use of cartoons, drawings and black and white photos to bring the text to life. One of the most useful things that Mr Nazareth has done is to examine Gandhi in a contemporary context, highlighting what current figures say about him and how his influence can be reflected in world events. This is a different take on the Mahatma so deserves a read by anyone fascinated by him.

Four Rounds of Golf in One Day in Gale Force Winds

In gale force winds howling round Worcester one man is propelling a ball that weighs less than an ounce 20 miles over 16 hours. As I write this, Stew Wilson is playing four rounds of golf in lashing rain and winds so fierce roofs are not safe- all in one day. He is doing it to raise money for Macmillan nurses, the ladies who look after people who are terminally ill with cancer so that they can spend their final days with dignity in their own homes. While Stew is being battered by the elements and we are sitting in comfort looking at a screen and reading this, I am doing something I have never done before and asking you to dig deep to support this effort and this wonderful cause please. Wherever you are in the world, and I know my readers are international, please go to this website and give whatever you can.

http://www.justgiving.com/worcestercityoldboys

Thank you.

TV 786 Interview with Zachary Latif and James Brewer on "Sonia Gandhi"

It was very enjoyable being interviewed by Zachary Latif and James Brewer yesterday for just over half an hour on the book. Director Mujahid Omar did a nice job for TV786 and Anastasia at the Chiswick Moran Hotel couldn't have been more helpful in looking after us all. Zachary and James raised some thought-provoking questions which included references to some critical reviews which I took pleasure in answering. This is the first time I have had two interviewees for the book and the dynamic was interesting. I look forward to your comments.