‘There is nothing called recession’

His grandfather named him after Jawaharlal Nehru in the hope that one day his grandson wouldbe as famous as the First Indian Prime Minister. And true to his dream, Jawahar Lal R Gangaramani was awarded the prestigious Pravasi Samman Award 2009 by President Pratibha Patil on January 9.

Founder member of the Indian Business and Professoinal Group (IBAG) in Abu Dhabi, Gangaramani is a successful entrepreneur who migrated to the Gulf in 1974 in search of a job. A Sindhi, who did his schooling and education in Mumbai, Gangaramani managed to begin his own venture in 1980 and today owns a $3-billion group, the Al Fara'a Group with diversified interests in construction, properties and industry sector.

In an exclusive interview to K Sreedevi, he shared his views on the award and the Indian diaspora.

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What do you feel about receiving the Pravasi Samman Award?

It's a great honour that I can get. I feel more humbled, encouraged and more responsible now. I have to do more for the Indian community in the Gulf as the Governemnt of India now expects me to deliver more.

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What will be your prime areas of focus?

I would be focussing more on the labour issues that are the key concern of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf. I hope to address their problems related to work, payment and extend all possible help to improve the quality of life, especially to the people at the grassroot level. The focus has always been on the top-level people but I hope to work for the middle-level and lower rung people and help them sort their issues.

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Is there any business area that you would be focussing on?

Healthcare and hospitality are sectors that I would be keen to focus on. My aim will not just be to get investments into India from the UAE but also encourage Indians to open up businesses and set shops in the UAE. I am very keen getting joint ventures that are a win-win situation for both.

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Are there any specific sectors that you plan to focus on?

UAE relies mostly on imports for a whole lot of products of daily consumption. There are a plenty of opportunities in sectors such as soaps, juices and such products. If UAE could get ventures with India in such sectors, it will increase the quality of life in both the countries.

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Has the recession taken a toll on your business?

There is nothing called recession. No recession can hit companies that have a solid foundation, good risk analysis and honest and hard-working people. Greed leads to recession and if you keep yourself away from that, nothing can affect you. There is no recession in India either as Indians are more honest and hard working.

Special: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009