From a civil engineer's profile in Indian railways to setting up a world-class real estate firm, when the chairman of Gaursons India Limited looks back at his life less ordinary, he has several reasons to feel proud. At 72, when most of the people almost become passive, this realty developer is busy chalking out construction plans and fiddling with rhyme schemes.  In a freewheeling chat, Gaur senior gets talking about his diverse persona. Read on...

How come a railway employee decided to turn into a realty tycoon?
Though I have worked with Railways for over 30 years, during my entire tenure, I had this feeling I don't want to work under someone. But due to family problems, I had no options. Since I was a civil engineer, I knew I could do well in the construction sector. In 1989, I left my job, borrowed money from various sources, and then bought a plot where I built my first building.

How did you discover the poet in you?
I have my own set of beliefs which many people don't approve of. So where do I express my point of view? That's when I picked the pen and words just flew in.

Talking of literature, what's your pick in Aakhir Kab Tak?
That's undoubtedly Pitaji ka accha kaam and the title poem.

Around which facets of life does your recent
compilation revolve?
People at my age have a lot of experiences to share. My poems talk about the changing perception of youngsters, their growing insensitivity towards elder citizens and the passive attitude of parents.

Where do you think the problem is?
It's not the move-on generation that needs to be blamed. It's we, the parents, who are responsible for the acquisitive and inconsiderate behaviour of our kids. My parents used to talk to me about Indian ethos, values and code, which is completely absent in a parent-child conversation now-a-days. It's video games, cool gadgets and gizmos that are the topics of discussion these days. So from where will the children know about true Indian values?

Do your poems echo an India becoming West sentiment?
I don't intend to criticise. But I would surely like to question those who make sure that our kids remain alien to our culture. If you analyse carefully, then you must have noticed we have started paying the price of Westernisation. 

What is it that keeps your pen moving?
It's the situation and the pent up emotions that encourage me to play with words. It acts as a source of catharsis. Poems are very spontaneous.

Business and poetry - how do you manage both of them? 
Poetry is my passion and construction is my profession. For something that you are passionate about, you don't need to take out time, it happens automatically. Having said that, I never compromise on my profession too. Even late at night, I visit my sites for inspection and make sure that the construction standards are followed.
 
You have also been associated with social service? Is it your way to pay back to society?
No business can sustain if the society doesn't support it. It's a give and take relationship.  Until and unless you don't fulfill the commitments of the relationship, the business environment in long term would turn in hostile. So it's better to learn it the easier way than the tough way. I am associated with several organisations that are engaged in social activities. Moreover, I also donate my entire pension.

Heard you were also a part of the protests during the Emergency?
Yes, I was in jail with George Fernandes for 40 days.

Coming back to real estate, how would you justify the soaring prices?
The general perception is that it's only the developers who're  responsible for insane prices. But that's not the case. Look at the erratic increase in the prices of cement, even we are not able to understand the logic behind it. Several projects are initially booked at reasonable prices, but by the time they are ready for possession, the input cost increases drastically and it becomes a daunting task for us to even recover cost. No one considers that.

Which according to you are the prime locations for housing?
According to my estimations, an investment in Crossing Republic at Indirapuram and Rajnagar at Ghaziabad would be the wisest one. The rates would at least increase 1.5 times in these areas in the coming two years.