Yes, there are changes in him. I think he has become more communicative with the family -- maybe because his time is limited. I find he is talking more to us now and with the grandchildren. He makes more effort now.

Whatever little time he has he makes it a point to share something from our life. Though he doesn't share much from his life. (Smiles.). He definitely wants to know what are we doing. What are we reading? Where are we going? He would surely ask how the health of the children is. That's a bit of change.

Our family events are much more memorable now -- especially when my sister came from abroad with her husband. Now, our get-togethers are well-organised. Because daddy has so little time my mother makes sure that everybody is available. Day and time is fixed, now.

In New Delhi, my father has never invited us to join any official functions, meetings, events or even cultural events. He just keeps us out. Only once did he invite my sister when one French educationist came to see him. I have never been with him even when Bill Gates or his kind of people came to see him.

He sometimes even asks my mother, 'Do you want to join, really?' But, my mother does join him if she finds guests interesting to meet. Work and family is compartmentalised in our family. He never speaks about politics with us.

I meet him every morning. I have tea with him every day for as long as I can. My mother, my father, my dog Snoopy and I, all of us sit, and everybody except my dog reads the newspapers. My father reads some dozen papers in English and Urdu. He scans every single newspaper. He sometimes makes notes as well.

Early morning, at 6.30 am, you can hardly talk. We read silently. He goes to work around 9 am. Only on the weekends does he read books. On weekdays, he reads only files.

Image: Dr Singh addresses a news conference. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters.

Also read: 'It's important India has a strong government' | India Votes 2009

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