Shobhaa De
Editor, author, columnist, blogger and publisher with a career spanning 45 years, De's sharp take on society and politics has made her one of the country's most influential opinion shapers

I remember the first time I met Olga clearly. It was 40 years ago, at a protest march led by Datta Samant in Kala Ghoda. My office [Stardust magazine] was right there. I leaned over from the balcony to see what all the noise was about. I saw this unusual, exotic lady in stilettos and a mini skirt, with her hair piled up on top of her head. She wore ruby red lipstick and had heavily-pencilled sloe eyes. She was the most attractive woman I had seen! I rushed downstairs. It was like a fan girl moment. I asked someone who she was, and they told me she was a journalist. Oh, well! Hmm. Interesting.