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The Vijay Mallya Chat

Aided by his able assistant Carmella Santucci in his office in San Francisco, Mallya answered most questions in some detail, taking care to explain his point of view with charm, firmness and some humour.

For a man who is so incredibly busy, he stayed online for nearly three hours, keeping aside his many plans for acquiring American companies, so that he could answer questions from Rediff readers worldwide.

Nidhi (Wed Oct 9 22:27:09 1996 IST):

Hi, Mr Mallya are you in?

Are you interested in the near future to start a national newspaper?

Hi Mr Mallya

Mr Mallya, Welcome to the Rediff Chat. Thank you for being with us this evening. We do hope you enjoy this experience.

hello Vijay Mallaya!!!

Hello Everyone, this is Vijay Mallya!

Does UB have any plans to colloborate with the Government on the upkeep of the city of Bangalore? I remember that UB had spruced up the areas surrounding UB, some years back. The city corporation beign manned by people with little or no aesthetic sense, it would be beneficial if a corporate like UB took interest, in an advisory or BOT manner, to make the city of Bangalore regain its beauty.

Mr Mallya, in your opinion what is the foreign direct investment needed by India every year?

Regarding the newspaper question: We are starting with a daily newspaper in Bangalore next month. We already have a financial investment in the Blitz Tabloid which is national. We will wait and watch for a year and then decide on expansion.

Good morning, Mr Mallya. There is a feeling that you are in trouble. How accurate is that perception, given the recent troubles in Dubai?

Mr Mallya, do you think there is scope for liquor business in a country where prohibition is synonymous with virtue, and governments' are enforcing it in various states?

What is your opinion on take over code?

Mr Mallya, why have you moved away from India, at a time when the nation appareas to be on the verge of Boomtime. Or are we missing something that you are getting?

By sponsoring international racing with Kingfisher you are probably building the brand internatinally - which countries are you marketing Kingfisher now?

Mr Mallya, is it true that your assets in the Middle East have been seized? If so, does it mean that you are out of that area for good?

Mr MALLYA: Can you shed soem light on your groups forays into high technology areas, particularly Biotechnology?

Mr. Mallya:I'm the best auto journalist in this country and my pay cheque says so. The moptor sports scene in this country has never been sadder. After Vicky Chandok's letter to you it is quite clear that FMSCI is a dead organisation. Considering the dreams we all had when you started repping India at FIA, what do you plan to do to rejuvenate FMSCI?

Mr. Mallya: What do you think about the present economic scenario in India?

Mr Mallya, is it true that your assets in the Middle East have been seized? If so, does it mean that you are out of that area for good?

Mr Mallya, pardon me for saying this. But your investment in Blitz and a newspaper in Bangalore appears to be derived more from a desire to acquire media clout rather than business sense. Who would invest in the media business in India today? The Ambanis and the Thapars could tell you it's a loser. I don't think it is fair to your shareholders.

Rather quiet today, aren't you?

Mr Mallya, would you agree with the perception that you have a disappointing record as a businessman. You have only consolidated what your father built. You have a poor record in starting businesses.

Nidhi: I would like to see India really move forward and dismantle controls including exchange control on capital account. I think that the country needs direct foreign investment of at least 10 Billion dollars every year. Nagaraja: I spent alot of time and money on beautifying Vittal Mallya Road, but everytime we resurface the road somebody dug it up to fix a telephone or electric cable. I suggested that we build tunnels under the road to accomodate all this infrastructure but they turned down my request. Currently UB is working with the government to implement the light elevated rail transport project which should start getting complete in stages in 2002. I am a firm believer that the government should invite substantial private sector participation in beautifying the city of Bangalore and for maintenance of roads. There are several business houses that will gladly participate if the government is willing to take some tough decisions in order to prevent Bangalore becoming as congested as Bombay.

Hi Mr. Mallya! Assuming there is a position at UB for a person who has completed an MBA. If there are two equally qualified people, one with an MBA from India and the other an MBA from the US, who would you prefer for the position? and why? P.S. Est ce que vous parlez francais courament maintenant?

Mr Mallya: Can you shed some light on your groups forays into high technology areas, particularly Biotechnology?

Mr. Mallya:The server here is real slow. So I pre-empt my reply. PCRT(TUTU DHAWAN & Co. of which I am a part) are flagging off the MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE on Saturday 12thoct96 from delhi INSPITE of Mr KD MADAN's best efforts to scuttle it. This is the contribution that FMSCI makes. I hope u r aware that for a delay of rs 500/ over 3 days FMSCI sacked the PCRT. What do u want to do about it? FIAsays speak to Mr. Mallya so here we are...

Mr Mallya, as we await your response, may I solicit your opinions on the economic reform process in India. Do you believe it has staying power? And since you are, we believe, such a friend of your prime minister, do you think he's committed to the reform process?

What prospects do you forsee for "wannabe" Indian transnational corporations in the post-liberalization theater?

Mr Mallya, could you enlighten us on how the self-proclaimed "humble farmer" took a flight in YOUR plane? Old pals, eh!

Mr Mallya: Why the stock markets aren't doing well?

Mr Mallya, you are known to participate in car racing, but pardon me for saying that your speed on the Internet Grand Prix circuit so slow. Or is Rediff to blame

Mr Mallya, do you think UB's propects are threatened by the prohibition mania sweeping the country. there is talk that prohibition may even be imposed in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Do you believe the politician's commitment to prohibition is genuine?

Mr Mallya: Are you planning to revive Hindi and Urdu Blitz?

Mr. Maliya, Inspite of the talk of liberalization why the Indian bureaucracy and the Indian industrialists are so protective and hesitant to break the present nexus of Politician-bureaucrat-industrialist nexus in permit raj?

It takes7-8 minutes between hits.. so pls reply sir... by the way:FIA says KD MADAN is President FMSCI but correspond with NAZIR HOOSEIN of HRA. Prohlem:they don't talkto each other and HRA fought with Bhatena...why don't u pls help clear up fmsci?

Let's get serious. When do you expect and hope to become a multinational within Fortune 500?

Thanks for your reply. With the changing business climate, do you forsee a greater role for Corporate houses to be involved in the city beautification plan? Have your meetings with Gov. officials given any indication that corporate houses may recommendations to the city corporation, with substantial weight? Left to the city coporation officials, things will not improve since thier own lifestyles prevent them from conceiving any beautiful, efficient plan. I say this because I happen to know some of them. Thanks

Hi Mr. Mallya! Assuming there is a position at UB for a person who has completed an MBA. If there are two equally qualified people, one with an MBA from India and the other an MBA from the US, who would you prefer for the position? and why? P.S. Est ce que vous parlez francais courament maintenant?

Hello, Vijay, what is the deal in Dubai.I heard they confiscated your yacht and other properties?Did the sheik, your partner,try to take you to the cleaners?

Deepu. Vous est parlez Hindi?

so slow tonite mr nikhil lakshman do something?

Hi Mr. Mallya. Nice to see you on the net!

Just hang in there folks! Mr Vijay Mallya has lost contact is reconnecting. He will be with us in a minute.

Vijay, What is your thoughts on 'corruption' in India? Do you have any solutions to solve this problem? Is it a result of excessive bureaucracy?

What are you planning to do for the Century old Best and Crompton of Chennai?

Vijay: Do you think private corporations has an obligation to society.Does your company spend any money on social programs?

We are in touch with Mr Mallya over the phone. He is trying to reconnect. Will be in almost right now.

Namastay Mr. Mallya.

If you call it a net? slow motion donkey cart!

What are you planning to do for the Century old Best and Crompton of Chennai?

Let's get serious. When do you expect and hope to become a multinational within Fortune 500?

Vijay, how do you plan to grow your company? Do you plan to gorw internally or through acquisition?Any plans to diversify?

Mr Mallya is having trouble with his browser and is reconnecting. He will be joining us shortly. Please bear with us.

As a business man of some substance, how do you influence policy makers to change in India for the better,whether it is economic,social or otherwise.

Do you subscribe to any of the 'fads'd'jour in management, ie reengineering,right sizing, dilbert principle,the 'wow' principle,or are they load of crap.