It was a delight to meet such a sophisticated, yet simple, family. Nimo K. Punwani, chief executive officer of Indian Steel and Wire Product Limited, and wife Desiree Punwani exude style and elan and daughter, little Daani, is a bundle of joy.

?We married late. By the time our daughters were born, we were well established. Giving them time was never a problem. I have been a part of their lives when they were growing up,? Desiree, who has worked with Air India for almost 20 years, says. Work, for Desiree, became incidental after the kids. She, however, has no regrets with her decision. ?I enjoyed my professional life, but I was more than willing to leave it for my family,? she says.

The kids also had Daddy?s warm care and attention to bask in. ?By the time our daughters were born, he had made a mark in his career. He was not one of those who hardly saw his kids growing up,? Desiree says. The glow on Nimo?s face is evident as he confesses that he always wanted daughters. ?Maybe I was a little selfish, but I feel daughters look after their parents in their old age,? he smiles.

Bringing up a child is quite a challenge, but Desiree and Nimo have handled it pretty well. ?I had mentioned to them that no university teaches parenting. Whatever training I have acquired has been on job,? she smiles. ?I believe in being open with children. Never in my life have I imposed my thoughts on them. They were party to all our decisions, which in turn made them responsible,? she says.

Throughout the conversation, Daani sits quietly, listening to her parents. She is shyness personified and seems a complete homebird. ?I like studying, watching television and computers. Most of the time, I am home and Mama is my best friend here,? she reveals. Mama lets the cat out of the bag. ?She is not as shy as she looks. She is quite a brat at home. We share a lot of stuff, be it our daily chores or silly jokes,? Desiree smiles.

Like every family, Punwanis have their differences too. ?Daani prefers loud music. I am into soft melodies. Moreover, I feel they need to be a little more giving in nature. These, though, are not big issues,? says Nimo. ?Its nice to see how focussed and dynamic this generation is,? he adds. Desiree differs on this. She feels that the entire generation needs to change a little. ?Today, kids are unsocial and reluctant to come out of their cocoon. Most never want to interact with only their close circuit of friends,? she says

Elder daughter Kanika, who is in Class XII in Bangalore, is an excellent writer like her mother. She has written a book, Being Happy. Daani, however, has no plans of picking up a pen. ?I am fond of reading and cooking. I want to make a career out of this passion,? she says.

The couple like the city even after being in Mumbai for most of their lives. ?Life is pretty laid back and almost everything is at a close distance. I get to spend more time with my family. In Mumbai, half of our time used to be wasted in travelling to and fro from office,? says Nimo. ?We keep shuttling between the two cities for Daani's education, but its nice to be here,? Desiree says.

Today, the Punwanis are a part of the steel city, but they are yet to get used to the culture here. All through, Daani looks at her parents with awe. Her parents mean the world to her.

Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury