Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
Bill's bill for riches
|
UK-based Lord Dharam Lall is all set to come out with his book "Rich Man Happy Man" in New Delhi. ATIKA RAO meets the cheerful millionaire.
|
THANKS A MILLION: Dharam Bir Lall marries spiritually with the pursuit of Mammon.
LORD DHARAM Bir Lall has played out the phrase `rags-to-riches' with an intensity that belongs to the theatre. It has taken Bill - as affectionately addressed in Britain - a lifetime to perfect this million dollar (read pound) performance. Now he furthers his magnanimity by sharing his mantras to destination wealth in his latest semi-autobiographical offering aptly titled "Rich Man, Happy Man", brought out by Full Circle and slated for a New Delhi release in November. For Bill is rich, yet happy as can be!
Memories of poverty
But not so when as a starry-eyed youth he bade farewell to his Indian homeland, bound for distant shores to try his fortune, 46 years ago. Coming from a humble background, Lall today remembers "walking to school in worn-out shoes." Displaced by Partition, his family had sought refuge in Calcutta, where he graduated with his brother's support, following which he dabbled in professions as varied as confectionary salesman, insurance agent and schoolteacher. Needless to say, he was quite a poor and sad man when he boarded a ship to Europe.
Five hard years in the U.K. later, he qualified as a chartered accountant and before long was a civil servant at the Ministry of Defence. When he could have easily grown smug, fate had other plans.
Being overlooked for a promotion he deserved made him feel his ethnic background would remain a constant hindrance to his progress. Coming into his own, he set up his accountancy practice, working in the evenings only.
"For the first 6 months I did not procure a single commission. But by the time I sold it 25 years later, I had more than 700 clients, offices in Dubai..."
More than two score years of active social life in the British capital, but Bill's tongue doesn't affect a hint of a foreign accent.
"Indian pronunciation is very clear. I'd rather be clear."
Though he does a Dale Carnegie, Hindu philosophy intersperses his mammonist ideas. "Aiming for riches is aiming for specified goals." Not only does he guide the young beginners, he also tosses a piece or two of advice to the already rich on how to enjoy their wealth.
Regarding racism inflicted on Asians in Britain per se, he recalls his encounters of abuse as a Punjabi refugee. "We were looked down on as Punjabis amidst Bengalis. Prejudice exists everywhere, even in this country. Maybe it is more rampant in India. Prejudice is a temporary glitch, but courage and desire can go anywhere."
Money brings choices
In the wake of the call centre phenomenon, with India dangerously close to becoming the back office of the world, does amassing wealth ensure intellectual growth as well?
"I am pro-global capitalism. It is important that funds pour into this country. Money will give choices to the young. You can beat the world, but you need their economic standards to do that," he reflects.
Dismissive of aping Western ways, Lall optimistically vests faith in the entire system of Indian values. "Material success can only be when spiritual background remains intact."
Well, he can sample his own life to corroborate that. 2003 witnessed him being installed as an honorary Doctor of Business Administration by the University of East London.
Now pursuing active retirement (still rich and happy), he continues to focus on voluntary organisations and is largely credited with social cohesion in a multicultural East London. Billie, you surely make India proud of you!
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
