The Bro code: When the Rajan brothers banter, IQ and EQ collide!

Presenting one of the world’s leading economists, Dr Raghuram Rajan (56) in a free-wheeling chat with his brother, entrepreneur and corporate thought leader, Dr Mukund Rajan (51)

As one of two brothers, I am observing the scene in front of me in a rather personal manner. Like my brother and I, Raghuram (56) and Mukund Rajan (51) are five years apart. We’ve put the two in a situation they’ve never experienced before and the silent support between them is palpable. 

Sons of an accomplished IPS officer, both Raghuram and Mukund Rajan were born in Bhopal, but spent their early years in different parts of the world. Location courtesy: Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi; Art direction: Amit Malik; Make-up and hair: Artistry by Anjali Jain(Prabhat Shetty)

“As children of government servants, all of us knew we had to get a job; there was nothing waiting at the other end” —Raghuram Rajan

Raghu and Mukund moved to Delhi at ages 11 and six (Prabhat Shetty )

“When I find Raghu trying to find goodness in what people are doing, I highlight the raw elements of what’s going on” —Mukund Rajan

“I have a build where off-the-shelf suits seem to fit. So I’m lucky!” —Raghuram Rajan

“I visited Oxford just after I had been cleared for my doctorate. A friend said, ‘Dr Rajan meets Dr Rajan.’ It was such a thrill!” —Mukund Rajan

“All too often, we have this sense of deep ideology, and to my mind, that really is wrong in many situations” —Raghuram Rajan

The brothers attended the same schools, but chose different career paths: one in academics, the other in the corporate world (Prabhat Shetty )

“I describe myself as a liberal thinker. I don’t think ideologies of the extreme are particularly palatable!” —Mukund Rajan

“My book tries to understand the rising tide of populism, and populist nationalism, which is more virulent and looks more for enemies than for friends” —Raghuram Rajan

“Mother would tell me that Lord Mukunda was a cowherd, and if I don’t study hard enough, there were enough water buffaloes in India to tend to!” —Mukund Rajan

“In my book, I highlight the relative lack of job creation by large corporates…” —Mukund Rajan

While growing up Rajan and Mukund lived in Moti Bagh in New Delhi, which is a government colony (Prabhat Shetty )

“I would wish that whatever government came into power would think of the need for serious reform of the system, because we are running into the limit of growth” —Raghuram Rajan

“Mukund is much more gregarious than I am. He’s much more jovial and fun!”—Raghuram Rajan