Shobha Bondre - Dhandha: How Gujratis Do Business

Published by Random House India in 2013

Copyright Shobha Bondre 2013

Random House Publishers India Private Limited

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EPUB ISBN 9788184004243

For Shalaka, Ajit, Mrugali, and Manoj.

May all your dreams come true!

This book is for you.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

It is nice to receive an appreciable effort by Shobha Bondre in the translated version of the book named Dhandha. The success stories are narrated nicely, glorifying Gujarati culture and courage. Their ways to tackle tough situations with tenderness and to enter the world of entrepreneurship are unique but diverse. The traits, tricks, and tolerance for success are the inherent business sense of Gujaratiswith hard work and habit to toiltill the road to success and path for progress is carved out.

The reasons for the roaring success of the Gujaratis is their sharp intellect, tremendous will power, and incredible capacity for hard work. Success has instilled in them the sound values and high sense of responsibility for society. Caring attitude and humane approach reflects in their professional dealing and dedication to service. Once the challenge is taken, there is no looking backself-confidence is something to be treasured and lasts for a lifetime.

The characters depicted in the book possess the grace, glory, and guts as expected of Gujarati culture. The honesty and hopes, the respect of relationship and fairness in dealings are directing forces for each ones success. The lively language and warm words picked up to portrait the personalities will touch every heart.

I compliment Random House India for a worthy publication as well as the Marathi Granthalaya Association for awarding the Best Book Award to the original version.

I hope Dhandha will inspire all to explore and expand the instinct to go ahead in life, with the Gujarati way of branding and bonding.

(N ARENDRA M ODI )

Chief Minister, Gujarat

INTRODUCTION

As one travels across the length and breadth of Gujarat, one comes to know how kings had built their massive empires from humble beginnings. Today, its the Gujarati businessmen who have repeated history by building business empires.

Business acumen is something that Gujaratis seem to inherit rather than acquire. Did you know that it was Ranchodlal Chotalal, a Gujarati, who brought the textile industry to India? Or that it was Gujarats Gondal Maharaja who collaborated with the British for laying down railway tracks for trains? These examples tell us how business flows in the veins of the Gujarati community.

In this book, Shobha throws light on some of the stellar performers in the Gujarati business community. Men who didnt just create wealth for themselves but for the nation as well. Men who didnt just earn money but respect too.

Lets hope this book serves as a source of pride and inspiration for people all over the world.

(A MITABH B ACHCHAN )

Brand Ambassador, Gujarat Tourism

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

Bhimjibhai Patel

I t was a busy day at the British High Commission in Mumbai in the year 1974. I was among the hundreds of people who had queued up to get a British visa stamped on their passports. The queue was inching forward at a snails pace. Finally, it was my turn and I handed over my documents to the British officer at the counter.

He glanced at my papers and asked in plain English, Why do you want to go to England?

I was dumbstruck. I hadnt been inside a classroom for more than fifteen days in my entire life, so naturally, I didnt know a word of English.

I requested politely, Sahib, Gujaratima bolo.

He gave me an irritated look and bombarded me with more questions in EnglishDo you know anyone in England? Where are you going to stay in England? What is the purpose of your visit?

I didnt know what to say so I repeated once again, Bhai, please speak in Gujarati.

He continued with his barrage of questions in English and I kept on asking him to speak in Gujarati. This duel went on for a while. Finally, he lost his temper, stamped something on my passport, and flung it to the ground.

I didnt really understand what had happened. I bent down and picked up my passport. I kept thinking to myself, Has this Gora given me the visa or not? And why did he throw it on the ground?

I had to find an answer to both questions. I looked around and to my relief, I saw an Indian, most probably a Gujarati lady, at the next counter.

I showed her my passport and asked her in Hindi, Ben, can you please tell me what is the matter with my passport? Why did the Gora officer throw it down?

Sir, there is nothing wrong with your passport but he has refused you the visa. Here is the rejection stamp.

I asked her, Why has he refused to give me the visa?

She turned to the British officer next to her and spoke to him in English. He said something to her. She told me in Hindi, He says you dont speak a word of English so what will you do in England?

I said, Ben, please ask him, does he speak Hindi? Does he speak any Indian language? If he can work here without knowing the local language, why cant I survive in England without speaking English?

The lady smiled and narrated the incident to the officer. He looked thoughtful, stared at me for a long moment, and finally broke into a smile.

Come on, give me your passport. He stamped my passport once again and said to the lady, Tell him he has got the visa. Ask him to come back in the evening to collect his passport.

On the way back from the British High Commission, I felt as if I was on cloud nine. As the taxi sped along Chowpati, I looked out at the Arabian Sea stretching out till the horizon and said to myself, Bhimjibhai, get ready for a new chapter in your life. Very soon, you will cross this ocean and the Atlantic and set foot on a new land. You have to be prepared to face this latest challenge.