FATHER OF INDIAN HOTELIERING RAI BAHADUR M. S. OBEROI, turns 103

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, a living legend who worked through his life to put the Indian hotel industry on the world tourism map, celebrated his 103rd birthday on August 15, 2001.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, EIH Limited says "Never settle for second best in life or the work you do, Rai Bahadur was known to say. Therefore it has always been the Group’s corporate philosophy to be the best, but not necessarily the biggest."

"A relentless quest to improve performance, incrementally, day by day, till you are the best, has been the guiding principle of Rai Bahadur." He added.

The Oberoi Group would be celebrating the birthday of its founder chairman by planting of saplings across all properties and organising parties for children from local orphanages.

Rai Bahadur Oberoi, described fondly as "the father figure of the Indian hotel industry in India and abroad, and the country’s only exclusive hotelier" by the late JRD Tata, was among the first to demonstrate that tourism is an industry of the future. Rai Bahadur Oberoi envisioned that tourism would be a powerful catalyst for economic growth in the country with high potential for generating direct and indirect employment. He recognised the socio-economic linkages that tourism forges within the country and promoted legislation and government policies in favour of the industry.

Having started his career in 1922 in Shimla, as a clerk, Rai Bahadur Oberoi is an inspirational success story of a self-made man. He is the Chairman of The Oberoi Group with hotels located in India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

"The idea was never merely to make money. The compulsion was to think big, always offer the best and let it happen. The profits would automatically come in," Rai Bahadur Oberoi observed. Rai Bahadur is a firm believer that it is not the marble and concrete that make a hotel but people who make the ultimate difference. It is to the credit of his visionary leadership that The Oberoi Group is acknowledged to be one of the country's first and best-known international hospitality companies.

Under his Chairmanship, The Oberoi Group has diversified into varied sectors of the tourism industry, namely domestic and international travel and tour services, flight catering, corporate air charter services, airport restaurants, and project management.

Along with his vision of a vibrant and growing Indian hotel industry, Rai Bahadur Oberoi combined a passion for quality and excellence. Whether it be the quality of construction, interior design, turnout of staff or the setting of a table, Rai Bahadur showed that world class standards of excellence could be introduced in India.

Rai Bahadur was the first to employ women in the hospitality sector. He founded the Oberoi School of Hotel Management, now renamed the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development, the only privately run institution recognised by the prestigious International Hotel Association.

Rai Bahadur Oberoi was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1962 and in 1972. He was also elected to the Lok Sabha in the year 1968.

Rai Bahadur Oberoi has been the recipient of many prestigious national awards and accolades from all over the world. In 2001, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the President of India. He was awarded with the Newsweek Award in 1977 for making significant contributions to the world of business.

In 1981, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) presented him the Hall of Fame Award for furthering the cause of international tourism. In 1983, he received the global hospitality industry's 'Man of the World' award, instituted by the International Hotel Association (IHA), New York. In 1984, he received the coveted The Order of Republic - First Class from the Egyptian President, Mr. Hosni Mubarak, for his valuable services to Egypt.

Rai Bahadur Oberoi remains a humble person who has never forgotten his roots nor forsaken Indian culture. An achiever and a self-made man, he is a humanist at heart. He has nurtured and helped people to grow to their optimum potential.

A national icon today, Rai Bahadur Oberoi’s achievements and successes have not taken away his simplicity and old fashioned charm. He still retains a unique humility about himself and says - " I have been able to accept the challenge and make good -- there is comfort in knowing that whatever little I have achieved has also helped to raise the prestige of my country".