Indira Gandhi taught me not to lose courage: Lord Swraj Paul

NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, who suffered the trauma of the death of his young daughter in 1968, says that former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi taught him not to lose courage in adversity.

Speaking at 'Remembering Ambika' event he hosted at the London Zoo last evening, Lord Paul was down the memory lane as he recalled the support and inspiration he received from his parents, family and friends who helped him shape his life.

Describing the former Indian prime minister as "a great person", Lord Paul said: "Mrs Indira Gandhi taught me not to lose courage in adversity."

"Ambika's illness taught us many things," he said.

Lord Paul came to London in 1966 in search of a cure for his daughter Ambika, who was suffering from leukemia. Inspite of the best medical attention Ambika died in 1968.
As he emerged from the trauma of her death, Lord Paul set up Caparo, today, the largest family-owned business in Britain.

Lord Paul donated one million pounds to the London Zoo in 1992 to prevent it from being closed down. Part of the Zoo is now named as The Ambika Paul Children's Zoo.

The event was attended by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and their children, former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Deputy High commissioner of India to the UK Rajesh Prasad and several dignitaries.

Lord Paul had a special word of praise for Brown family.
"Sarah and children are with us and they have always been with us. We, the Paul family is grateful to you," he said.

Referring to Livingstone, Lord Paul said: "Without Livingstone, there would not have been Olympics in London. He fought single handedly to ensure that London is allotted the Olympics. Ken, the nation is grateful to you."