6. Yashwantraoji was very methodical in his work. As a Defence Minister, whenever he was in town, he would start the day with his morning meeting at 9.30 AM. This would be attended by the three Services Chiefs, Defence Secretary and other very senior officers. He would mention all the important points gathered by him the previous day and which he had carefully recorded in the small notebook always carried by him. The Officers would then brief him on the situation and this would be followed by discussions on important issues. The result was that he was always well-informed of the situation and his officers were clear about his thinking and directions on important issues. Another advantage was that the officers could concentrate on their work for the rest of the day without being called by the Minister. He would reserve the whole morning for official discussions and meetings with Governors, Ambassadors and other important dignitaries. He would return home for lunch at 2.00 PM, take rest for an hour and then start meeting with political workers and other which went on till 9.00 PM. After dinner, he would dispose of his files which consisted of 2 or 3 bags as a Defence Minister but 5 or 6 as Home Minister. He would go to bed only after the last box was completed and this might be 12 O'clock or 2 O'clock in the morning. Every file that went to him the previous day was returned to the office next morning. With this speed of disposal by the Minister, Officers had to be quick in clearing their desks.
7. Yashwantraoji had extra-ordinary skills of man-management. He made full use of the strengths of the persons without complaining about his deficiencies. The result was that his team was far more effective than the same team under any other leader. He was a good judge of men and could make use of the advice of different persons by making proper allowance for their personal prejudices and weaknesses.
8. Yashwantraoji's capacity to remain calm and relaxed even in the most difficult circumstances was really unbelievable. In August, 1965 I accompained Yashwantraoji to a visit to Vishakhapatnam. As soon as we landed, there was a message that the Prime Minster wanted to talk to him immediately. A large scale infiltration by Pakistanis had taken place in Jammu & Kashmir. However, it took more than half an hour before the Defence Minister of the country could speak to the Prime Minster. The Air Force and the Army lines were down and even after booking the highest priority call which had to go via Madras, Bombay to Delhi, it took considerable persuasion and shouting to get the call through. The reason was simple. Some senior officials at Madras and Bombay were talking through the same priority booking and they had to be literally driven off the line by explaining the urgency. After curtailing the visit, we took off the Delhi at 7.00 PM. The Defence Minister was to attend the emergency Cabinet meeting at 11.00 PM. Yashwantraoji sat quiet, thinking about the whole situation for about half an hour. Once that was done, he stretched out on his bed in the VIP cabin of the Air Force plane and immediately went to sleep. He had to be awakened for fasterning the seat belt when we approached Delhi. But thanks to this rest, he was fit and alert for the Cabinet meeting which incidentally went on till 3 O'clock in the morning. I am also reminded of another incident in April, 1967 when Yashwantraoji was Home Minister. The Delhi Armed Police constabulary had gone on strike and had also carried their weapons with them. A mob of 1,000 Police men surrounded 1, Race Course Road, the house of Shri Chavan by 8.00 PM. Many had guns with them. By 10.00 PM the situation ahd become very critical. There was no police-man left in the barrack or, the Police stations who could be brought to deal with the situation. (Incidentally, this night was later found to be one of the most crime-free night in the capital). Army was called out who took their positions in the house early in the morning, The whole situation could be controlled only in the afternoon of the next day when two Batallions of the Border Security Force arrived and literally grabbed the Armed Police men - three BSF men for one Armed Police men. Fortunately there was no blood-shed. However, Yashwantraoji was fast asleep by 11.00 PM. He made it clear to the senior officers in the house that handling of the law and order was their job and he did not went to interfere in tactical matters. Both the incidents show his mental discipline and capacity to relax at the right time so that the remained fit and alert when his turn came.
8. My years with Yashwantraoji formed a unique experience. This was not only exhilarating action-packed period but also a complete education in management. If I am asked what is the most important quality in a leader, I would say, after watching Yashwantraoji at close quarters, that it is his capacity to make big man out of a small one. The magic of Yeshwantraoji was to develop every follower into a significant person through strengthening his good qualities and giving him confidence in life. Finding a large number of able persons amoung Yeshwantraoji's followers is not an accident - it is the contribution made by the gifted leader to the country.