you most. In the corporate world you have to do what is most urgent today and cannot steer your time. The tempo in the corporate world is also much higher and there is no room for contemplating about different scenarios.
Q: Can you tell us something about your childhood, your hobbies/interests? What kind of a child were you, naughty/imaginative/ introvert?
A: I think I had a very good childhood, calm, nice and probably quite protected. I am and have always been quite shy but also with a good portion of humor.
Q: How did you plan your career?
A: I did not plan my career. It just happened and I guess that education at the right timing was a key to the success.
Q: Can you share with us some of your experiences of being a CEO of one of the largest Corporate Companies in the world?
A: Being the Chairman of a huge multinational group is a fantastic thing and very rewarding but also extremely tough. You have no leisure time and you need to be available twenty-four hours a day. You need a lot of strategic thinking and a lot of diplomacy both internally and externally.
Q: How did you get into writing books? How was this experience?
A: I have always been interested in trying to share knowledge with others. Writing books is a good way of doing so. Moreover, I found a great need for good books for students to help them get a good education and that helped me in writing for them.
Q: Your association with India begins with Alfa Laval & with Mrs. Lila Poonawalla. Would like to share anything with us about your professional experience with them?
A: I think India is the most amazing country kind people, good education, high efficiency and loyalty. The drawback is, of course, the bureaucracy and still a regulated market in many respects.
Q: How do you rate India as a market? What is it in India that attracts the Swedish Industry?
A: India is a huge market and with a potential you can only dream about in the western world. During the last few years the development has been good but still the biggest growth and the largest possibilities will be in front of us.
Q: What are your expectations from today's youth? How do you rate the potential of youngsters in the future?
A: Today's youth is our future. I expect from them to be driving towards good education, high efficiency and high ethical values. In that respect I also expect young people to support each other towards their new future.
| Q: So many appointments and big ones dealing with Global holdings, it might be keeping you a lot away from home. How do you manage to strike a balance between your work front and your home front?
A: This is always tricky but I think we have reached a reasonable balance. When I travel in business I always go alone and instead we take real holidays together and go somewhere to see and experience new places like we did last year e.g. when we spent almost three weeks in Rajasthan.
Q: We had heard that you wanted to start a foundation to support girls in their education. You have seen Lila Poonawalla Foundation closely since its inception to its present stage. How do you feel about its progress towards helping the girls raise high in education? What message would you like to give all of us at the Foundation?
A: Education is a key for all young people. With good education you will always manage in life and therefore it is so important to try to help young people to get to their first start in life by helping them to get education. LPF is doing a terrific job in that respect but, of course, much more is needed. In that respect I can see the need for me and for others to help and to push for additional support to get more young women into education and thereby giving them a real chance for the future.
Q: How does Prof. Grosskopf spend his leisure time?
A: Different things like traveling with my wife, playing some golf, and this year the Vasaloppet, i.e. 90 km cross country skiing.
We are greatly obliged by the kind and considerate gesture of Prof. Grosskopf that he accepted our invitation, graced our 10th year celebrations with his wife, Mrs. Birigitta Grosskopf and agreed to release the book Mrs. Poonawalla has published on the success stories of Lila Fellows. Sir, we are indeed honored! We assure you that your contributions will go a long way in motivating our aspiring girls.
- Rajani Panchang | 
