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Free as a Bird: The recent 2G verdict came as a huge relief to some politicians and business groups. Some chose to air the ordeal that they’d gone through while others chose to stay under the radar. A little bird tells us that one was so ecstatic about the reprieve that he chose to fly out almost immediately to Europe to ring in the New Year, almost a week in advance. Santa clearly came to town early for some.
Think Positive: Mental health has always been discussed in hushed tones in our country. So, it’s a welcome change to see India Inc come out and address it openly. Neerja Birla, Kumar Mangalam Birla’s wife, has been a pioneer with her M-Power initiative and last week we saw Amruta Fadnavis, wife of the Maharastra chief minister, join hands with Huzaifa Khorakiwala of Wockhardt to celebrate the power of positive thinking at a central Mumbai hospital.
Musical Chairs: It’s raining offers for India’s rainmakers who buy, sell and merge companies for astronomical fees. Both local and foreign investment banks are chasing bankers with job offers. The grapevine says that a senior rainmaker from a British bank which had shut its public offer business is keen to join a rival UK bank whose chief has joined a management consultant to establish a corporate finance startup. Another local fund, in which an American private equity fund owns a significant stake, is also looking to hire. A local bank that has a significant presence in purchasing companies under the asset reconstruction process is also in the fray to poach rainmakers to strengthen its team. All signs point to deal activity picking up in 2018.
Puppy Love: The save-the-date invitation for Atul ‘Mickey’ Punj’s February shaadi has apparently melted the hearts of most guests. The invitation has gone out from the two ‘kids’ of the couple. Now, before you start choking on your morning coffee, let’s quickly clarify — they’re of the four-legged variety.
Birthday Boy: We know Henry ‘KKR’ Kravis is an Indophile, but when he decided to spend the first week of the year in India, you know 2018 will likely see some fat cheques being signed from the private equity powerhouse. And incidentally, he also chose to spend his birthday this weekend in Mumbai. We hear one of India’s richest men even offered to host Kravis for a private chat. One has to admire Kravis’ enthusiasm. He flew in directly from Sri Lanka after spending the year-end holiday at the island-nation’s sandy beaches.
Ministry of Mittals: There’s something about the Bharti Mittal family that makes global hotshots want to partner with them. And mind you, we are not just talking about one Mr Son of Softbank. The latest to join the fan club is chef Dharshan Munidasa and his partner, former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene. The biggest gourmet export from the island nation, Ministry of Crab, is set for its India launch and guess who they are partnering with. Ramit Mittal, the nephew of Airtel’s boss Sunil Mittal. Mittal had earlier brought Pizza Express to India and is clearly moving up the gastro ladder. Bon Appetit.
Hamara Harvard: Harvard Business School has several connects with India, among them the fact that the dean is Nitin Nohria. Another is with the Bajaj family, which has been sending its scions to the school for over two decades, starting with patriarch Rahul Bajaj. The latest to join is Nirav Bajaj, after a brief stint on the shop floor of a group company. Niraj Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj have also been to the school as has Rahul Bajaj’s son-in-law Manish Kejriwal, who runs private equity fund Kedara Capital.
Parivaar Special: While Reliance turned 40 in December, a trusted Ambani consigliere also hit a milestone. Alok Agarwal, CFO and an Ambani confidante for years, threw a private party at a mid-town hotel for close friends, colleagues and family to celebrate his 60th. Together with his wife and daughter, Agarwal was the perfect host to his buddies. This was one birthday celebration that few could afford to miss out on, especially for those in banking circles, even if it meant cancelling or adjusting any yearend travel plans, as some did.
Leaving the Nest: Staying with the Bajaj family, brother Sanjiv has followed brother Rajiv in moving out of the family home. In a Bajaj family first, elder brother Rajiv had moved out of the joint family residence near the Pune factory that made Bajaj scooters and autos to an independent bungalow in the toniest part of the city, mostly for school reasons. Now younger brother Sanjiv, in charge of one of India’s most profitable financial services firms, is building a home in the city, a stone’s throw from his elder brother’s residence.
(Privy to the whispers in power corridors or juicy tips on India Inc? Do share with us at [email protected])
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