Within the renewables space, we are focused on solar and wind energy.
— Ajay Piramal
Don't hoard your wealth. Instead, live the life you want with the wealth you have been blessed with, but also make it beneficial for the good of the larger community.
Investment in Shriram will actually enable us to enter some of the retail segments such as vehicle financing, consumer and gold loans, and other products such as insurance, mutual funds, among others, where we wanted to have a footprint.
Our philosophy always teaches us that you can have intense activity, but inside, you have to have peace. The office has to reflect that.
Indians are very intelligent - of that, there is no doubt - but we are not necessarily hard working.
Many people say that in a liberalised world there is little for the government to do, but the fact is that there is much for the government to do in fewer areas. One such area is to provide infrastructure.
Life looked bleak when I became chairman of the group at the age of 29. But I survived, as the Lord must have carried me when I needed Him the most.
We've always been influenced by some of India's greatest minds.
We take dispassionate view of our investments. Does it mean that we are looking out to monetise the investment? That is not correct. But if we get an offer that we cannot refuse, as I say, then it is not that we are not, that we will still hold on to the investment.
When we look at our business, we are not that concerned about short term valuations.
Textile mills are not a very high-margin business and have fixed overheads, so it was challenging. But I think it is only in challenges that you get opportunities.
Coming to the growth potential in financial services, there is enough data to show that, usually, financial services grow about twice or two and a half times of what the economy, the GDP growth rates.
Everywhere in the world, when you travel, you see structures that stand out. Historic structures and new structures. But in India, I don't see anything that stands out.
I am not for buying into financial services firms because I am not sure of the quality.
It was always the intention that Shriram would have started a bank at some point.
Humility, we say, is very important because we feel humility means the ability to listen, the ability to respect another's opinion and to find that everybody around you in some subject knows more.
Innovation means taking risks, and that is where the private sector can play a role.
In pharma, we continuously look for acquisitions... if it makes strategic sense and if there is any value.
Share your prosperity.
If you concentrate on action and forget the results, you actually perform much better, because then you are not worried what will happen.
We are disciples of Krishna, and we look at ourselves like Arjun in the battlefield.
Leadership is more than just managing economic reforms. Leadership means giving broad direction, take up challenges which other people cannot do.
Disabilities and misfortune can make you stronger.
In any technology, one has to be very careful to ensure that it is good and has enough safeguards.
In the pharma space, we have been growing both organically as well as through acquisitions.
There are always highs and lows in life, but if you maintain an even keel, then you can take the right decisions.
Buying a house is not an overnight decision, and people can wait for 3 to 6 months.
There is nothing similar between the pharmaceutical and textile business.
Fortunately, in Piramal Enterprises, we are in three broad sectors. One is in the whole financial services sector, the second is in pharmaceuticals, and the third is in healthcare analytics and data.
I am overall optimistic about India's growth.
We are a very systems- and process- driven business which reports directly to the board, whether it is risk or legal.
In any merger, when you have large organisations coming together, there will be challenges in terms of culture.
The role of a trustee is to ensure beneficiaries get the best returns, without the trustee benefitting.
Governments cannot do innovation. There are too many audits, and no one stays in a role for long enough.
It is very clear for us; we will do whatever is in the best interest of Shriram shareholders.
We never thought about getting into banking, as it is not an attractive business as perceived generally. This was also not a consideration when we decided to invest in Shriram Group.
In life, there are always intense battles, and yet we must practise the lessons from the Gita.
Our responsibility is to maximise shareholder value, and if that means we can make short-term investment where we can maximise short-term value, we can do that.
The Internet can bring us much closer to the developed world.
Manufacturing is finite, but human intellect is infinite. Textile is all about manufacturing, and industries like pharmaceuticals are all about human intellect.
Normally, Indian companies follow the trend set by companies abroad. There is usually a long lag period.
Sometimes, we get mixed up when we say that profit is not important for stakeholders. Oxygen is not the reason a person lives. But it is essential to have oxygen, although it's not the only reason for a person's existence. It is similar for profit.
In pharma or in information, you have to invest for three or four years, and then you start seeing returns.
Demonetisation was always on the government's radar and was part of the plan from day one when Narendra Modi took over as prime minister, as he was concerned about the black money.
We always set ambitious goals in our group, and I have found that if you set your mind to it, you can do it ,and sometimes all the circumstances will play in your favour.
We entered into the pharmaceutical industry in 1988, and since then, we have grown significantly on the back of a growing demand in India for pharmaceutical products.
We have a unique culture.
In a crisis, you separate the men from the boys.
We will follow in letter and spirit whatever the RBI rules and guidelines are - whether at the holding company level or individual company level.
Our organisation and culture is based on professionalism and values. I think my children reflect both.
