Like father, (un)like son? A new path

Narayana Murthy's son, presently on an internship at Microsoft, does not want to step into his father’s shoes. He hinted he may have a venture of his own.

Reason: “I think he (Rohan ) is much smarter than I am. So, he probably will have some good ideas on what he wants to do,” said, Murthy. Father Murthy is not disappointed. “Whatever he wants to do, our (his and his wife Sudha’s ) encouragement will always be there. And, we will be happy to support him,” he added.

Wadias

Patriarch : Nusli Wadia

Nusli Wadia is a Parsi Zoroastrian entrepreneur, and an important figure in the Indian textile industry and real-estate business. He is the chairman and majority owner of Bombay Dyeing, a major Indian textile company, and has vast holdings in real estate across Mumbai.

Heir: Jeh Wadia

He is the managing director of Go Air. Wadia may be the youngest airline chieftain, but his ambitions are nothing short of soaring. Recently, the younger Wadia joined the board of Britannia Industries. Britannia Industries is a joint venture between Britannia and Groupe Danone. .

Birlas

Patriarch :Aditya Vikram Birla

An Indian industrialist, who headed the Birla group, Aditya Birla dared to dream of setting up a global business empire at the age of 24. He was the first to put Indian business on the world map, as far back as 1969, long before globalisation became a buzzword in India. In the then vibrant and free market south- east Asian countries, he ventured to set up world-class production bases. He put Indian business on the globe, 22 years before economic liberalisation was formally introduced by the former Prime Minister, Mr. Narasimha Rao.

Heir : K Birla

Kumaramangalam Birla is among the richest person in India and the eighth youngest billionaire outside India according to the Fortune magazine. Kumaramangalam heads the Aditya Birla Group. The group is today the world number one in viscose staple fibre; the world’s largest single-location palm oil producer and Asia’s largest integrated aluminium producer; a globally competitive, fast-growing copper producer.

Godrejs

Patriarch: Adi Godrej

Adi Godrej is the chairman of Godrej Group. He left India at the age of 17 to enroll at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Heir: Pirojsha Godrej

The 23-year-old joined the family business as a management trainee. On completion of one year’s training, he joined Godrej Properties & Investments Ltd as a manager. He acquired a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wharton. The younger Godrej is focusing on building his leadership abilities.