I mean, the notion that someone would begin a mission at age three is odd to most westerners (except those who know about Mozart), but not to most Indians... or to those who fancy themselves "Indian in attitude or disposition." To those people the fact that he stepped off at such a young age lends him a certain mystique. And stating it matter-of-factly just adds to the mystique.Besides, if an aspirant gets past that particular filter they'll knew he/she is sufficiently malleable that he/she won't be asking any embarrassing questions later. If you think the way a con man thinks, this all makes perfect sense.
