Galaxy from Gujarat

ICONS OF GUJARAT INDUSTRY: Kamlendra Kanwar; Harmony Publishers, C/o Times of India Press, Jivaraj Park, Vejaltur, Ahmedabad- 380051. Rs. 350.

GUJARAT HAS been a harbinger and a pioneer in mercantile development in our country. It has a population of about five per cent of the country; but it accounts for 10 per cent of the domestic consumption, 16 per cent of the exports from India, and 30 per cent of the national stock market capitalisation. The book under notice is a tribute to the genius of the business community in Gujarat. It contains pen-portraits of seven legendary entrepreneurs, each of whom is a titan and a tycoon in his own right. Five of them are first-generation industrialists, while two belong to the second-generation and "who have built imposing superstructures over the edifice built by their illustrious fathers.'' The galaxy from Gujarat depicted in this book are role models par excellence, each one displaying a distinct and characteristic management style and business skill of his own. The focus and common parameter appears to be that the main thrust and theatre of operations for these giants originally commenced and still continues at Gujarat. Otherwise, how can we explain the conspicuous omission of Dhirubhai Ambani of the Reliance Group, and maybe a few others? Dhirubhai, though born in Gujarat, is domiciled and has his moorings only in Mumbai.

The story of these "seven wonders'' of Gujarat brings out in sharp relief their goals and guidelines which enabled them to achieve the seemingly impossible. Their determination, staying power, and tenacity are virtues to be imbibed, and emulated by budding businessmen anxious to make the grade.

There are eight chapters in the book. The first seven are the thumbnail sketches of the seven superstars - their roots, their troubles, tribulations, and triumph. The last chapter is devoted to the unveiling and understanding of what lies behind this miracle; an attempt to demystify the Gujarat phenomenon in the industrial firmament of India. It is a collection and compendium of the views on the subject by authentic academics and business leaders.Karsanbhai Patel and his NIRMA are, now, an internationally celebrated melodrama in modern business. The success story of this humble and "home-made'' marketing wizard how he challenged and competed with the mightiest multinational at the time in India with nothing other than his backyard, buckets, bicycle, and an uncanny business sense is a regular case study in the management schools. From an incredibly modest beginning, today Karsanbhai presides over an empire, which is worth of Rs. 2000 crores. It is in the fitness of things, therefore, that his biography has the pride of place of being the first feature in this volume.

The next story is about Pankaj Patel of Cadila Zydus. He is a second-generation entrepreneur. The manner in which he catapulted his small family concern to the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in the country with a rare and indefatigable dynamism has been portrayed in a picturesque manner. It is not always that the second-generation in a big business house displays the kind of promise and potential as Pankaj has done. Quite often, the second-generation inheritors, born with a silver spoon, take things a little easy; and invariably such corporate groups go for a tailspin, and it is the posterity further down the line that achieves a turnaround.

Anil Bakeri is an exemplary and outstanding businessman; his name is a byword for integrity and reliability in the construction industry a field tainted with sleaze, corruption, malpractice, and dishonesty. In a career spanning 35 years, Anil has carved out a niche for himself, which is difficult to match. Everything about him is in low-key and self-effacing. He is modest to a fault, his buildings are functional, and he is neither flashy nor flamboyant.

Sushil Handa is the CMD for Core Healthcare. This is a fascinating tale of skyrocketing ambition and cinematic daredevilry, seldom witnessed in the Indian business scenario. Moreover, his career is a roller coaster ride of peaks and troughs. His forefathers had no business background, but Sushil is possessed with fanatic business zeal. Core Healthcare is the biggest manufacturer of intravenous fluid in the country. Nevertheless, the group has major problems on hand: Sushil does not see any problem, but he finds only opportunities. "Winning or losing is only in the mind'', he says. He is a man to watch, a never-say-die entrepreneur, with an undeniable ability to conquer and bounce back any time.

Then, there is Gautam Adani, the superlative performer in trading. From a small-time operator in Mumbai, less than a decade ago, he came back to Ahmedabad where today he is the biggest foreign exchange earner in the country. His growth is exponential and meteoric. From Rs. 2.2 crores in 1988, it increased to Rs. 150 crores in 1992, and today it stands at a staggering figure of Rs. 3,300 crores. Besides trading, Gautam is already diversifying into setting up mega infrastructure facilities like ports, pipelines and power plants. Nothing excites him much, he is a cool customer. He was kidnapped on the New Year's Day in 1998, and when he was released after being held hostage for 16 hours, he came back home as if returning from a stroll, and resumed his routine normally.

Gujarat and textiles were synonyms at one time, but not any more. More than 60 mills have been closed down, and this industry is at a very low ebb. For Chintan Parikh and his textile company, Ashima Ltd., the situation seems to be different. Established in 1982 with a capital of Rs. 8 lakhs, he has achieved a paradox and the incredible, by increasing the turnover to Rs. 225 crores as of June 1999. His range of textiles has a touch of rare class and rich variety of sophisticated designs.

Sudhir Mehta is the other second-generation industrialist, who plunged into the family business started by his father. He built up the business gradually to the current Rs. 2,200 crores empire, known as the Torrent group. Sudhir's foray into the power sector Ahmedabad Electricity Company and Surat Electricity Company has won him great laurels. Business ethics is a sacred testament for Sudhir. A typical example was his export commitment to the Soviet Union, in which the last consignment was due just a few weeks before the break-up of the federation. Yet he went through the deal without batting an eyelid. Eventually, he did recover all the money, there was no loss, and what remained was only an impeccable reputation for business integrity.

This book has been ably written. The language is lucid, the tempo of narration is vivid, and all the characters in the true stories come alive on the pages. All aspiring entrepreneurs will find this volume really inspiring and stimulating.

R. DEVARAJAN

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Articles on Visishtadvaita
Next     : Jain iconography