The story of a man who began his journey with Rs 10,000 and built a Rs 17,000-crore empire
From beginning his career as a small trader in Delhi to building Havells, one of India’s largest electrical goods company, Qimat Rai Gupta’s story makes for an inspiring read. Told rivetingly by his son, Anil Rai Gupta, this is the account of how QRG, as he was fondly known, braved poverty, ill health, competition, corruption and bureaucracy to turn his dreams into reality.
Havells faced stiff competition from companies that couldn’t tolerate a modest trader challenging them. Despite legal battles, family feuds and severe shortage of funds, QRG never gave up.
During his last years, Havells acquired German giant Sylvania which was twice its size. When Sylvania’s losses pushed Havells to the brink, QRG fearlessly decided to keep the company nonetheless. It was under his tutelage that Anil Rai Gupta, present chairman of Havells, turned Sylvania around.
QRG’s life is proof of the adage ‘Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve’.

Contents:
1. Introduction: Business with Conviction and Empathy
2. Get Me a Japanese Memsahib
3. Baby Steps in Business
4. The Trader from Bhagirath Palace
5. The Calcutta Connection
6. Buying Havells
7. Lesson from Kanpur
8. A Well-oiled Channe;
9. Sibling Rivalry
10. Shah Bina Pat Nahi
11. Change of Guard
12. Rebooting Havells
13. Jallandhar King
14. Nothing but the Best
15. The Sylvania Files
16. CEO Has to Go
17. Tough Talk
18. Securing the Homeland
19. Brand Sutra
20. Fans Forever
21. Deal-making from the ICU
22. Epilogue: The Legend Lives On...