Chairman of United Beverages group Vijay Mallya criticised chief minister Narendra Modi for not changing age-old rules on prohibition in Gujarat by saying that the state is losing a huge chunk of revenue. Speaking at IIM Ahmedabad Confluence 2005, Mr. Mallya, who is well known for his Kingfisher brand of beer, said he had offered Mr. Modi to lift prohibition in the state and earn revenue up to Rs 2,500 crores per year. However, the chief minister told him that they have to follow the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and cannot do away with prohibition, he added.
He further said, "He is ignoring the proposal and calls himself progressive." This he termed as colossal mistake by the state government and its failure to keep up with the times. Sharing his experience of turning UB group into a mammoth conglomerate with management students, Mr Mallya said though he had taken birth in a very rich family his father was a tough taskmaster, kept him on strict schedule, and taught him the difference between haves and have-nots.
At the age of 28, Mr Mallya had to take reins of the UB group as "fate determined”. Owing to his father's death. He said when he assumed the charge of the UB group he and his group were written off by the business community and the media. However, he said with single-minded perseverance and self-confidence and considering him-self accountable for each of his action, he turned around the company.
He narrated in details how he built Kingfisher as one of the most enduring. Brands in the world and what problems they had to face in doing it. He also spoke at length about the other acquisition of the UB group and his latest venture to launch Kingfisher Airlines. He said his airlines would purchase around 70 different categories of planes by 2010 and increase its market share. Mr. Mallya advised the young generation to rely on their gut feeling rather than going by earlier studies and surveys to launch new projects. When asked to corn-meat about his flamboyant lifestyle in comparison to other Indian CEOs, Mr Mallya said, "I am more shameless than others."
He further said, "He is ignoring the proposal and calls himself progressive." This he termed as colossal mistake by the state government and its failure to keep up with the times. Sharing his experience of turning UB group into a mammoth conglomerate with management students, Mr Mallya said though he had taken birth in a very rich family his father was a tough taskmaster, kept him on strict schedule, and taught him the difference between haves and have-nots.
At the age of 28, Mr Mallya had to take reins of the UB group as "fate determined”. Owing to his father's death. He said when he assumed the charge of the UB group he and his group were written off by the business community and the media. However, he said with single-minded perseverance and self-confidence and considering him-self accountable for each of his action, he turned around the company.
He narrated in details how he built Kingfisher as one of the most enduring. Brands in the world and what problems they had to face in doing it. He also spoke at length about the other acquisition of the UB group and his latest venture to launch Kingfisher Airlines. He said his airlines would purchase around 70 different categories of planes by 2010 and increase its market share. Mr. Mallya advised the young generation to rely on their gut feeling rather than going by earlier studies and surveys to launch new projects. When asked to corn-meat about his flamboyant lifestyle in comparison to other Indian CEOs, Mr Mallya said, "I am more shameless than others."