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The Books Aditya Ghosh Draws His Inspiration From

Oyo’s Aditya Ghosh talks about books that have influenced his leadership style.

 Aditya Ghosh, CEO, India & South Asia, OYO Hotels & Homes. (Image courtesy: OYO)
Aditya Ghosh, CEO, India & South Asia, OYO Hotels & Homes. (Image courtesy: OYO)

From an organisation’s business goals to its culture. From the old charms of Delhi to Quit India movement. From the life of Rabindranath Tagore to reminiscing about an experience in Egypt. These are some of the themes that have stayed with IndiGo’s former chief, Aditya Ghosh.

One of his favourites is Nuts. “This is a must read for leaders,” Ghosh, the current chief executive officer (India and South Asia) at Oyo Hotels & Homes, told BloombergQuint, as he shared a list of books that he has enjoyed reading over the years, most of which he read when he was in college.

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Nuts, By Jackie Freiberg And Kevin Freiberg

“Just before assuming my operating role at IndiGo, I remember picking up this book. Herb Kelleher was a legend! Southwest Airlines is certainly the fountainhead of ideas that many low-cost airlines have adopted over the past several decades. But the refreshing and most appealing quality of the book is how lucidly it’s written and how relatable the stories are,” Ghosh said.

“For any leader, this book is a must read to see how an organisation’s business goals in a very tough industry finally comes down to the culture of that organisation and the details of how the strategy translates into day-to-day execution”.

The Books Aditya Ghosh Draws His Inspiration From

City Of Djinns, By William Dalrymple

“Just as I was entering college, I fell in love with Delhi because of this book. Of all Dalrymple’s books that I have read, this one remains my favourite,” Ghosh said. “The way it starts with the present and then harks back in time, makes it very relatable.”

“I remember, I would read the book in buses and on walks and then look out of the window and some old monument would come alive.”

If you’ve never visited Delhi, you will want to visit it after reading this book and if you live here, you will fall in love with the city, Ghosh said.

The Books Aditya Ghosh Draws His Inspiration From

Looking Through Glass, By Mukul Kesavan

“I remember reading this book for the very first time when I was in college. Set in the context of the Quit India movement, it follows the story of the protagonist who is transported back to the final turbulent years of the Indian freedom struggle. It was fascinating the way the author traverses the various layers of a society in turmoil that is undergoing changes at various levels,” Ghosh said. “It certainly left me with a much more nuanced view on that period of our past. Definitely not your typical historical fiction.”

Rabindranath Tagore- The Myriad Minded Man, By Krishna Dutta And Andrew Robinson

There are ‘literally hundreds’ of books written on Tagore, and “I don’t claim to have read all of them. But this one is probably the most comprehensive one written in the English language. It’s not your typical page-turner and comprehensive”, said Ghosh.

But you cannot fault the authors who are trying the capture the life of a literary and artistic giant in one volume! The book touches upon various aspects of Tagore’s life. “The book starts off somewhat slowly but quickly gathers pace and you get drawn into the fascinating world of a genius.”

“It has some very interesting anecdotes and perspectives, making Tagore more human than the deity-like status that we have elevated him to.” After reading it, the book leaves you just amazed at the expanse of Tagore’s works and the vast range of his interests.

The Books Aditya Ghosh Draws His Inspiration From

In An Antique Land, By Amitav Ghosh

This genre-bending book by Amitav Ghosh draws seamless parallels between Ghosh’s first-hand experience in Egypt and a retelling of a 12th century Jewish Merchant’s story. This book “flows seamlessly between reality and imagination,” according to Ghosh. His work is “mesmerising”.