SB: From a steel maker, Lakshmi, you have become a superstar. Now your father warned you, and correct me if I am wrong, he said to you: "Lakshmi if you become high profile, that is the day you are in trouble". Do you remember those words?

LM: I'm not a high profile person.

SB: You have the world's media chasing you all the time.

LM: Yeah, that is because of this event which cause so much media frenzy, but normally I'm a really low profile person, I continue to focus on my work, spending time with my family and friends. I never wanted it but this particular event caused so much of excitement among the media. Now I think everyone will get back to their work and we also will be normal.

SB: You describe yourself as a family person, your children you said mean a lot to you. And they also play a big role in your business. Your son is the CFO of Arcelor-Mittal Steel, your daughter Vanisha, too plays a role. Why is it they are so involved in the business? Didn't they want to do something themselves? Or?

LM: You see we are a small family. My wife was also involved in my business until 95, 96. And since my children were small, every day in the evening on the dining room table they would hear about the business talking about the steel industry, they would come with me to the steel plant in the night, when I would go for a round or a visit. So they have felt themselves more comfortable with the industry. And when they grew up, when they were in college they would visit me to the various facilities. So therefore I think they feel very confidant in what they are doing and my son has been very successful as a president and CFO of Mittal Steel.

SB: He was the person who actually advised you first that you should try to take over Arcelor.

LM: Yeah, yes. He has been involved in my business for 10 years. He led the first IPO of Ispat International.

SB: That was one of your steel companies, Ispat international?

LM: Yes. And he also learned all of the mergers and acquisitions of the group. And all the time we have been discussing the strategy. And he talked to me last year that we should look at Arcelor.

SB: How did you get from India to becoming this steel baron? What have been you management mantras Lakshmi?

LM: I think when I left India, in 76, I had no choice but to succeed.

SB: Why? You were scared of failure?

LM: I landed up in a country in Indonesia, where the Japanese were dominating the whole steel industry. A person coming in from India who had no background of running such a larg

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