NEW DELHI, Sept. 3 -- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd), the first chief executive officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on Wednesday said his four decades of service in the Indian Air Force would serve him well in his new role. In an interview with HT, Mishra also said he looked forward to taking on the challenges and responsibilities ahead, with team spirit as his guiding principle.

Edited excerpts:

What are your thoughts right now?

I am full of gratitude, and I consider myself a very fortunate person. You know, I am very fortunate because from the age of 17 years till 60 years, I got the opportunity to serve the nation in the Indian Air Force. I include the time spent in the NDA. That's 43 years in uniform. And...