My tryst with riding started when I was barely four-and-a-half years old. My uncles were among the country’s top polo players and it was exhilarating to watch them play. I was first trained by them and later at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

I’ve had quite a few turning points in life. First, it was joining the NDA at the age of 16 — a rude but interesting beginning to my adult life. It made a man out of me. Moments of huge pride have been representing India in the 1982 Asian Games and then winning the Arjuna Award in 1991. I was the youngest in my discipline to be conferred the award. It was more than just an award — it was a major source of motivation for me.

Finally, leaving the army and starting my own equestrian sport management company, Equisport, in 1996 was a major milestone. Equisport not only keeps me in touch with my passion but also helps me give back to the sport that made me what I am. I want to market and publicise polo to make it more visible and popular.

Polo teaches one to take on every challenge with confidence. It made me understand the value of living life with passion and made me fearless. I remember when, in 1992, I shattered my jaw during a match. My mouth had to be wired shut for almost six weeks. I swore I wouldn’t ever play without a face-guard. But within two months I was back on a horse, representing India in England for a match. And I refused to wear a face-guard because it interfered with my game.

My philosophy is to live life moment-by-moment and as meaningfully as possible and to give back to the world in whatever way I can.

(As told to Angona Paul)