and,thewinnerstakeitall… · 2014-05-21 · and accountability. mahagun believes in complete...

ADVERTORIAL

Changing Noida’s landscapeRealty giant DLF is all geared up with its new project, the Mall of India, a brandnew concept that will change the course of Indian retail industry forever

Once a barren land, Gurgaon is today a bustling com-mercial and premier residential city. Among manyother factors, it was due to the buildings created by

DLF that gave Gurgaon the unique identity that it still holds.After Gurgaon, now it is the turn of Noida and the rest ofNCR to experience the same dynamic change in its retaillandscape. Not only that, with the Mall of India the realty gi-ant is set to change the retail experience in the country for-ever. After numerous exceptional and path-breaking retailmasterpieces, DLF, with its accrued and acquired experi-

ence, expertise and entrepreneurship, is all set to create his-tory again and redefine the world of retail in India by pre-senting the DLF Mall of India. With an expertise of morethan six decades in the industry, DLF is now presenting themarquee project that is going to create a benchmark in theretail business of India - DLF Mall of India at Noida. The Rs1100 crore project which is spread across the retail spaceof 2 million sq ft (GLA) is set for launch in the second quar-ter of 2014. The idea of Mall of India came to the groupabout five and a half years ago when a research was con-ducted by AC Nielsen. It was found that the city had a largeaudience and the fact that that this is a growing city and willattract a larger audience in the coming time. Elaboratingfurther, Pushpa Bector, senior vice-president, DLF UtilitiesLtd, says, "With this research, it was certain that the marketwas already there and secondly, we got a really good loca-tion as at DLF, we believe in choosing the best location pos-sible. With the Mall of India, we got a location that is at themouth of Noida and caters to Expressway, Noida, EastDelhi, Mayur Vihar, South Delhi and even Central Delhi.With good connectivity, within a ten minute drive time, onecan attract a good density of population to this project. Themarket was very much there, waiting to be tapped. We arevery excited about it.”

For a brand to be successful, it has to be a consumerfriendly enterprise, something that Dr Anil Sharmamade sure to turn his company Amrapali Group into

If you are determined and are pas-sionate about your desires in life,there is nothing that you can't

achieve. Dr Anil Kumar Sharma is aman who fits this description. He wasalways passionate about buildingbuildings. Hailing from a small villagePunarakh in Bihar, this young dynam-ic civil engineer is a pass out of theprestigious IIT Khadagpur. After doinghis MBA and Law from Patna, hestarted his career with NTPC, NPCCand worked with Bihar Civil Servicesfor about 12 years. Though he was anachiever academically with an excel-lent meritorious background, he de-cided to foray into the realty sector.He describes his journey as tough yetenjoyable. Coming from a mediocreor middle-class family and under-standing the need an importance ofa shelter, he launched his first resi-dential project in the year 2002 in

Noida called Amrapali Exotica cater-ing to the common man. And afterthat, there was no looking back.

It takes a lot of courage to leave asorted life and job to chase yourdream. Sharma is one of those whoare not afraid of taking risks in life.Though he started his business, helacked two most important factorsthat are prerequisites for a businessto flourish - creditability and creden-tial. "My educational background re-ally helped me achieve creditabilityand my work allowed me to earncredentials. Gradually, I succeededin achieving both," says an over-whelmed Sharma. But, this was justthe beginning. There were manymore challenges to overcome.Among several such challenges,Sharma feels one big challenge wasto bridge the gap between demandand supply in India. "The gap is so

wide and diffi-cult to fill, butwe are tryingour best," hesays. Sharma'svision has takenAmrapali togreater heightsby completingthe constructionof projectsspread overmore than 100acres.

A brand for one and allA diversified business portfolio, strict adherence to quality and thinking ahead oftimes has helped DS Group maintain its position as one of the leading brands

Hailing from Barot in Karnal District, Lala Dharampalstarted his career at a young age from ChandniChowk. The business he chose was intertwined

with the city's culture and the two were virtually insepara-ble. Simultaneously, he started taking interest in the intrica-cies of perfumery business. Slowly, Lala Dharampal beganto learn the unique characteristic of each itr. Over time, hispersonality, behaviour and ability to learn became increas-ingly versatile. He acquired vast knowledge in both thefields. The group was founded in 1929 when Lala

Dharampal set up a small perfumery shop in ChandniChowk. The urge to create a business around consumertastes and preferences led Lala Dharampal to innovatequality products made out of essential oils like agarbattis,flavoured supari, gulabjal and tobacco.

In 1940s, the firm started focusing on manufacturingchewing tobacco. Lala Dharampal was a visionary whosequest was to create a business around consumer tastesand preferences, and innovative quality products. Later on,his younger son Satyapal joined the business. He inheritedthe qualities of high virtues, innovation and aspiration to bethe best in one's business. Satyapal was an exemplary en-trepreneur who achieved excellence by nurturing an enter-prise reflecting quality and innovation. And also draftingthe blue print to build and strengthen the outlook for fu-ture. He was bestowed with the title of Sugandhi - Masterof Fragrances by his peers. In 1972, the firm was incorporat-ed as a private limited company. In 1979, DharampalSatyapal (DS) was incorporated. Then came a momentwhich changed the market dynamics in this segment forev-er. The legacy of the company was taken forward by thenext generation Ravinder Kumar, Late Sunil Kumar andRajiv Kumar. Today, the company continues on its growthpath propelled by the enthusiasm of Ravinder Kumar andRajiv Kumar.

Delivering qualitytime and again

A consumer oriented approach coupled with rightintent has taken Mahagun Group to the top of theladder in the realty industry

Mahagun Group is a conglom-erate of companies operat-ing in real estate and hospi-

tality sectors. The flagship companyMahagun India Pvt Ltd was incorpo-rated in 1995 with the objective ofcarrying out real estate constructionand developmentwith primary fo-cus on residentialreal estate.However, over theyears, the groupincorporated/ac-quired somemore companiesand made its for-ay into develop-ment of commer-cial real estate aswell as hotels."We have already delivered approx7.00 million sq ft of real estate andthe projects involving developmentof approx 15.00 million sq ft are cur-rently in hand at various stages of de-velopment," said Amit and DhirajJain, directors of the group.

The decade starting from 1990saw opening up of economy leadingto private sector participation in realestate development in a big way. "Myfather, who also happens to be anengineer by profession, saw a hugeopportunity in this area and starteddevelopment of multi-storied flats inGhaziabad. From that stage onwards,

it has been a continuous journey to-wards setting higher and higher goalsfor our business, which we have beenable to achieve through our sincerity,dedication and absolute commit-ment to our customers," says the duo.

The keys to brand success are self-

definition, transparency, authenticityand accountability. Mahagun believesin complete transparency, backed byethical practices, coupled with timelydelivery of quality product to the cus-tomers at reasonable prices. Both thebrothers are brimming with confi-dence and have a vision to take realestate to newer heights not just byconstructive development but by en-vironment friendly development.

The vision of the group is very clear.It wishes to usher a better tomorrowby giving people an improved qualityof life and living standards.

Getting better withevery challenge

Real estate development is not just aboutconstructing projects; it is a foundation of society,believes Harish Sharma of Aadhar Group

Leaving a lucrative job is never aneasy option for anyone unlessguided by passion to do some-

thing remarkable. Harish Sharma,chairman and managing director ofAadhar Group followed his passionand instinct to do exactly that. Leavinga quality profile job, he turned into anentrepreneur. Today, he is the face ofan established brand, which is a re-puted name in the realty sector. It re-quired courage and hard work to re-alise his dreams and take AadharGroup to these heights and evolve asa committed brand in such a shortspan. After turning almost 40 lakh sqft of residential and commercial landinto architectural landmarks, AadharGroup promises to come up with more such unmatched qualityprojects. When one takes risks in life, itmay lead to success or failures attimes, yet both are equally important.Sharma too hadthis thought inmind when hetook the decisionto step aside andventure into therealty sector.Founded in 2006,the group hasprospered im-mensely since itsinception. AadharGroup recentlyannounced a

commercial real estate project.Hailing from a middle class family

and having a tough childhood madeSharma realise early on in his life thevalue of hard-earned money. "Wemake sure the client's investment issafe and profitable. Unlike any otherdeveloper, we ensure that our proj-ects get completed not just on time,but at times before time committedschedules. This is because we valuepeople's hard earned money anddon't want their gruelling effort to goin vain. It is my responsibility as a busi-nessman to deliver on time. I makesure that I don't spend money takenby them on any of my personalneeds. I am in this business not just toearn money, but to serve the societyas well," says Sharma.

He proves this by sharing that heonly takes Re1 as his salary everymonth as CMD of the company.”

Creating value forcustomers

And, the winners take it all… They were the stars of the day and enjoyed all the limelight; they deserved it too! These icons have played a vital rolein making what Noida is today and continue to be stakeholders in charting the city's future. They deserve a laud for

all their good work

Rama Raman (left) gving away the award to Pushpa Bector, sr vice- president, DLF Limited, Mall of India Ltd

Ashish Kumar (right), MD, Dr Willmar Schwabe India Pvt Ltd taking the award

Manoj Gaur (right), MD, Gaursons India Ltd accepting theaward

Shashank Surana (left) and Bhavna Sood (right), senior vice-president, DS Group receiving the award

Ritesh Malik (right), MD, Creative Thinks Media accpeting theaward

Dr Anil Kumar Sharma (right), CMD, Amrapali Group receivingthe award

Vikas Khurana (right), founder and director, Essence Communications accepting the award

Dr Sanjay Gupta (centre), chairman with his wife Rajni Gupta(right), executive director, Ramagya School getting the award

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THE ECONOMIC TIMES, NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

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