The Railway Minister's secretary was shouting at Zelma Lazarus, saying the honourable minister did not see people without an appointment. But Zelma really didn't have time to make appointments; the idea setting her on fire was too big, too important and too urgent. The year was 1990.

It just so happened at that moment that George Fernandes, the Railway Minister, was leaving his office. Seeing Zelma waiting, he invited her in and said, perhaps a little impatiently, "What do you want?"