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Bade Bs bowl boys over with big biz buzz

Jeevan mein yadi apne man ka ho to achcha, agar na ho to jyada achcha (In life, if things work according to your wishes, it is good. If things do not not work according to your wishes, it is still better).

If these are the words of wisdom from an illustrious poet father which have guided actor-turned-businessman-turned-actor Amitabh Bachchan to reach the pinnacle of success, then noted industrialist Rahul Bajaj, too, has been guided by the words of wisdom from his father, ''In every venture of yours, try to reach the top. If you do not succeed, it does not matter. It is the efforts which count.''

While giving this advice to young Rahul, his father had even gone on to suggest that if he intended to become a playboy in life, he should aim at being the best playboy. Of course this piece of advice had caused his mother much consternation.

The two luminaries narrated their success stories on the second day of the week-long personality development camp organised in Pune, Maharashtra, by the Shiv Udyog Sena to instil a sense of confidence in the youths.

The chairman and managing director of the Rs 35 billion turnover Bajaj Auto, which employes 18,000 people, recalled that he had always dreamt of becoming a businessman from childhood -- having been nurtured in similar environment.

For Bachchan, however, the future held no promises after finishing college. Armed with a science degree, Bachchan recalled there were no generous employers at that time who had wanted to employ him.

Frustrated to the point of despair at not finding a job, Bachchan recalled that in a fit of anger he had lashed out at his Father: ''It is you who have brought me into this world. So, it is for you to assure me a good life.''

The father did not utter a single word immediately but registered a resounding slap to his recalcitarnt son through a poem a week later. ''Babuji penned a poem which reprimanded me for my harsh words. While rebuking me for my harsh words, Babuji, through the poem, conveyed to me that, 'Son when you bring to this world your child, first try to find out from it whether it really wants to be born', '' Bachchan recalled.

Ultimately he did get a job as an executive in Calcutta which fetched him Rs 450 per month, recollected Bachchan. But he was unhappy with the job since he had always wanted to become an actor, he recalled.

Bajaj was fortunate. He had inherited the family business but, more importantly, he had inherited the legacy of noted freedom fighter and industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj.

However, he remembered that when he joined Bajaj Auto, the company had a turnover of merely Rs 20 million making negligible profits. But, today, the same company has registered a turnover of Rs 35 billion and making a profit of Rs 4.40 billion.

The success has been due to hard work, team efforts, commitment and dedication, integrity and courage and honesty, says the industrialist. Besides these qualities, in order to succeed in life, you also must have the guts to say ''no'' when necessary, Bajaj advised the youths.

UNI

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