I discovered that a diplomat's life is largely entertaining and meeting people. At the end of the day there's nothing. So I gave up.

That's Delhi. When life gets too much for you all you need to do is to spend an hour at Nigambodh Ghat,watch the dead being put to flames and hear their kin wail for them. Then come home and down a couple of pegs of whisky. In Delhi, death and drink make life worth living.

I am alone, but never lonely. You have always books around you.

I was unhappy with the jobs I did after law. I got into the diplomatic service. There again I had really little to do.

I had lots of time to read [being a lawyer] what I hadn't read in my school and college days. Being a bad student I barely passed my exams and I barely bothered about books. It was sports all the time. I started reading and got involved in literature and writing. The few cases I handled gave me the material for my early short stories.

I turned to the Partition experiences, which were churning in my mind. Then came my first novel Train to Pakistan.

I discovered that a diplomat's life is largely entertaining and meeting people. At the end of the day there's nothing. So I gave up.