While critics never let an opportunity pass by to make fun of him, Lalu has almost single-handedly -- along with his staff, of course -- helped the Railway coffers fill up to the brim. He is undoubtedly one of the best-performing ministers in the Manmohan Singh government.

Lalu, who blends rustic wisdom with management strategies, has been hailed by many as a rare managment guru. He has also given lectures at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; the Harvard Business School, and Wharton on how he turned the ailing public sector Railways into a successful organisation.

Was it sheer hard work and flawless planning, backed by charisma? What have been the keys to his success?

We present here some of the work formulae of the illustrious railway minister culled from his various speeches. Read on. . .

Image: Railway Minister Lalu Yadav prepares to play a stroke during a cricket match between Indian Railways XI and Media XI at The Moinul Haque Stadium in Patna in 2006. He scored 20 runs, which included two fours. | Photograph: STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images