As was already planned, I joined my family business immediately after coming back from IIMA. I was involved in multiple businesses including Steel Cold Rolling, manufacture of Agro Chemicals & Pesticides, Textiles (Spinning and manufacture of Fabrics and Garments), and manufacture of Toughened Glass Insulators. 

 

I was travelling extensively, primarily to France, interacting with our Joint-Venture Partners, SEDIVER, and training in their facilities in France and Brazil. This phase continued for almost two decades - until 1987. At this juncture, I moved out of our joint-family business – Bhilwara Group. 

 

I ventured out on my own and set-up a 100% Export Oriented facility to manufacture Professional Grade Hand-Tools. This was a Joint venture with HEYCO, Germany. Our products were part of the standard Tool Kits that went into each Mercedes and BMW Cars. Almost simultaneously, I had also set-up a plant for manufacturing Agglomerated Marble. This was a Joint venture with BRETON, Italy. 

 

The first few years, I was based in Jaipur and then I was based in New Delhi. Due to some unavoidable compulsions, I had to move to Kolkata in 1992. I sold off my stake in the above businesses. In Kolkata, I started to manufacture Fans – Ceiling, Exhaust and Industrial. I was an OEM for some of the Leading Brands such as Polar, Khaitan and GEC. 

 

Towards the end of ‘90s, this business started to stagnate. The un-organised sector had taken over the highly price-sensitive market. By the year 2000, I could see major challenges in this business. 

 

At this time, I got an offer from Reliance to join them as part of their upcoming CDMA Telecom venture. It was a difficult decision. I decided to go ahead and I joined Reliance Infocomm and moved to Mumbai. I was involved in setting-up and running the Reliance WebWorlds across India. After the split between Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani, I moved out of the Infocomm Business and continued to work for Mukesh Ambani. 

 

I became the Head of EPC for all non-manufacturing Buildings including all the Reliance Retail Stores. Apart from building the Reliance Corporate Park Campus in Navi Mumbai, I was responsible for building over 1700 Reliance Retail Stores across India and across multiple formats. 

 

In 2012, I moved to the Reliance JIO Project in Kolkata and I am currently working as President, responsible for JIO roll-out across Eastern States – West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam and 6 North Eastern States. I work very closely with Mukesh Ambani and report to him. 

 

When I look back at these 40 years after IIMA, I see a very fulfilling and enriching period – mostly good and successful but not bereft of some lows. In general, The Almighty has been kind. 

 

On the family front, my wife Usha has been a home maker. My daughter, Smita and my son-in-law, Amit live in Kolkata. I have two adorable grand-children, Anay and Anwita. Amit manufactures Polyester Resins and Smita is a home maker. My son, Umang and my daughter-in-law, Surabhi live in Mumbai. Umang is into Digital UV Printing. There is a new bundle of joy in the family – my grandson, Viaan, who will turn One in December this year. 

 

I am still travelling a lot. I catch up on my reading on the flights. Music continues to provide the much needed solace in a still very hectic life.