The Conquerors

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Challenges bring out the best in warriors. They turn every crisis into an opportunity. Indian corporate history is replete with such instances. Many of our corporate heroes have overcome challenges, made tough choices and reached the pinnacle of glory through sheer perseverance.

In the following pages, we showcase eleven such tales of grit, determination and glory. These corporate poster boys (and girls) come from diverse portfolios – from biopharma to auto, healthcare to IT. Many such industries are at the forefront of India’s quantum jump to the next phase of economic growth. The promoters / CEOs / MDs showcased here prove that nothing is impossible to achieve, if they get a sound enabling environment. These corporate chronicles of pain and victory inspire an India at the cusp of next economic leap.

CHALLENGES HELPED US GROW

PROFESSIONAL LIFE and challenges are two sides of the same coin, and as one gains experience they are met with more maturity. Yet there are some events that are overwhelming that shake you to the core. For my brother Vikram and I, the biggest challenge came rather early in our working life.

It was 1990, the elders in our group lead by Dr Bharat Ram and Dr Charat Ram decided to carve out DCM to avert family conflicts in the future. However various branches of the family were not equally equipped to take on the new roles. We were apportioned Shriram Fertiliser and Chemicals complex in Rajasthan and Swatantra Bharat Mills in Delhi. It was a case of fait accompli. Before the recast, we had worked in different businesses of the group and reported to an executive director or to a general manager. Suddenly we were the managing directors of unknown businesses at the age of 36 and 32.