FICCI FLO, under the leadership of its 43rd National President, Ms. Puja Garg, hosted an engaging edition of Chai Pe Charcha with renowned bestselling author, columnist, and entrepreneur, Mr. Ashwin Sanghi at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. Ashwin Sanghi has authored more than ten bestselling novels, including The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, The Vault of Vishnu, The Magicians of Mazda, The Keepers of the Kaalchakra, and Private India: City on Fire (co-authored with James Patterson).
With over two million copies sold worldwide, his works have earned international recognition, including appearances on The New York Times and The Sunday Times bestseller lists. He was also recently announced as the inaugural recipient of the JSW Prize for Literature. In an engaging conversation with Ms. Puja Garg, National President, FICCI FLO, Sanghi reflected on his journey from a business family to becoming one of India’s most celebrated authors.
He spoke about balancing entrepreneurship with his passion for writing and shared how his multilingual granduncle, who mailed him a book every week during his childhood, nurtured his lifelong love for reading and learning. Sharing the story behind his debut novel, The Rozabal Line, Sanghi recounted the many publisher rejections it faced before he self-published the book, demonstrating how perseverance, resilience and conviction ultimately paved the way for success.
The discussion explored Sanghi’s distinctive writing philosophy of blending history, mythology, religion, politics and science through meticulous research. As he remarked, “The gap is where the real story is,” explaining how unanswered questions and historical mysteries become the inspiration for his bestselling novels. While firmly rooted in research, his works encourage readers to question assumptions, embrace multiple perspectives and think critically.
The conversation also examined the enduring relevance of India’s civilisational wisdom. Drawing upon Chanakya’s Chant, Sanghi highlighted the timeless leadership principles of Chanakya and the Arthashastra, demonstrating how ancient wisdom continues to inform modern governance, strategy and decision-making. He also reflected on the influence of spirituality and mythology on his worldview and creative process.
Encouraging members to cultivate disciplined reading habits, intellectual curiosity and rigorous research, Sanghi emphasised that innovation begins with asking better questions. He also discussed the growing global interest in Indian literature and mythology, urging aspiring writers to remain authentic, resilient and committed to lifelong learning. The interactive Q&A witnessed enthusiastic participation, with members engaging Sanghi on writing, publishing, mythology, history, leadership and the future of storytelling in an AI-driven world. The session concluded with a lively book-signing interaction, followed by high tea and networking.
Key Takeaways
- Curiosity is the foundation of knowledge, creativity and innovation.
- The most compelling stories emerge from the unanswered gaps in history.
- Research, critical thinking and intellectual honesty enrich both storytelling and leadership.
- Resilience and perseverance are essential to achieving lasting success.
- Ancient Indian wisdom continues to offer relevant lessons for contemporary leadership and governance.
- Reading widely and questioning assumptions are vital to lifelong learning and personal growth.
Impact & Outcome
The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Shoba Jolly, who thanked Ashwin Sanghi for an inspiring conversation that encouraged members to embrace curiosity, challenge conventional thinking, and appreciate the transformative power of stories.
The session received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with members describing it as one of the most engaging editions of Chai Pe Charcha. The event reflected FICCI FLO’s commitment to creating meaningful platforms that inspire dialogue, foster intellectual curiosity, and encourage lifelong learning among women.
The session was seamlessly emceed by Ankurita Pathak, Additional Director, FICCI FLO, who guided the proceedings, welcomed the audience and set the tone for an engaging and thought-provoking afternoon of ideas and conversation.