On Balance An Autobiography

Author: Leila Seth
“It was then that we met. He was wearing brown and white co-respondent shoes, fawn-coloured gabardine trousers and a cream-coloured silk shirt. He was chewing paan, which made his lips look red and messy. He seemed pleasant enough, but this ‘England-returned’ man spoke English with a rather Indian accent and seemed to be showing off about his work and achievements. I was frankly put off.

“But it appeared that he liked me and told my mother so at the end of the next day. He found me, so he said, unassuming and intelligent. Ma was delighted and wanted to know my reaction. I made it clear that I was bowled over by Premo, and that, having met him only twice, it was a bit unfair to expect a balanced reaction from me. Unless I got to know him better, I could not take a decision.

Ma was nonplussed and disappointed. “But she knew that I was stubborn and there was no point in pressing the matter further. When Premo asked for permission to write to me, Ma readily agreed. This started our correspondence, which was good because through out letters we got to know each other and to understand each other’s lives.”

We think: A woman of many firsts, the author reveals her ‘trials’ and successes, balancing a home and a brilliant career in law. Her spirit shines through the pages making it a very interesting read.