I’ve had many humbling moments on ‘The Apprentice’, says Niraj Puran Rao

Competing in ‘The Apprentice ONE Championship’, which combines business and martial arts, Pune-based Niraj Puran Rao talks about representing India and why ‘biz talk’ in sports should be highlighted

Suited to the nines as he talks about being India’s only contestant on The Apprentice ONE Championship, Niraj Puran Rao clutches a string of prayer beads, as if to keep himself centred. Point it out and he breaks into a smile, saying he is into philosophy and spirituality. Whenever we think of The Apprentice, it is natural to picture Donald Trump (pre-presidency years) saying, ‘You’re fired’ at the end of each episode. However, Niraj assures us that “this is not your grandfather’s The Apprentice,” because it combines martial arts and business. “The nature of how we perceive business is ‘logic, logic, logic.’ The ethos of ONE Championship is based on ancient Asian values of honour, integrity, hard work and compassion. Everything — from the candidate selection to the competition structure — has a spiritual component.”