Rakesh Jhunjhunwala: The family man

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Q: Since you have invested in so many companies, you know so many companies, who is the industrialist who you think has done very well?

A: The individual I respect Bhaskar Bhat of Titan .

Q: That because you own the stock.

A: No.

Q: Other big business heads.

A: Adi Godrej.

Q: Why do you like him?

A: I like him because of his transparency, return on capital, and for sharing wealth with people. Hats off to him!

Q: But you do not own his stocks, do you?

A: I don't but that doesn't mean I don't respect him.

Q: You like him?

A: He has done exceedingly well. Unfortunately, I bought Geometric instead of Godrej Consumer .

Q: I know Geometric is in your portfolio, you never bought any other Godrej stocks?

A: No.

Q: What is your most memorable family moment?

A: My parents' fifty wedding anniversary.

Q: When was that?

A: That was in 2002, February 14. I booked a suite for my parents and my father said why to waste money and next day when they came back, the way they were flushed, I was so happy.

Q: Were they proud of your wealth? Your father was a middle-class man and didn't you have a middle-class upbringing.

A: My father was a middle-class man. He had a house in Mumbai and used to receive a good pension. He had some capital and was a man of modest needs, so he never needed my wealth. He was proud of the achievements, and the fact that because we became rich or successful, we didn't forget our parents. A lot of people asked me whether my father lives with me. I used to say that I live with my parents.

When I gave him the Forbes list, he was surprised. He always cautioned me against getting arrogant or taking it for granted. But seeing your parents, children feel happy. What is it that you can give your parents? They don't need your wealth and there is not much time. My father is no more, but I live with my mother.

Q: Do you miss him?

A: I truly miss him. If he was here today and had seen my two sons, it would have made his life. That is my biggest sorrow and my biggest happiness is they are my mother's lifeline today. She cannot do without them and they cannot do without her.

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