MARWAR India Magazine - September - October 2018

In this issue

Just as much as the Birlas are a byword for wealth and industrial power in India, they are known for their philanthropic initiatives, especially in the area of building educational institutions, which led to the creation of the Birla Education Trust in the early twentieth century. Almost a century later, the Birla Education Trust continues to spread illumination through world-class educational institutions under Birla clan member and founder of the S K Birla Group, Sudarshan Kumar Birla, who now manages its affairs. We have featured the veteran industrialist-turned-educationist and philanthropist on our cover this issue.

Recalling the rich business legacy left by yet another pioneering industrialist, we have featured late Mahavirprasad Ramkumar Morarka in a tribute article, whose birth centenary we celebrate this year.

With its myriad shades and nuances, the sand dunes of the Thar never cease to mesmerise the onlooker, as was discovered by avid lensman Girish Agarwal, who is also the promoter director of the Dainik Bhaskar Group. In an interesting photo essay, Agarwal brings to life the musings and the rhythm of the desert during his sojourn that coincided with the famous Pushkar Mela.

Coming back to enterprise, we take you back to a time when synthetic leather was beginning to make rapid inroads into the market as a substitute for real leather. Among those to seize the opportunities that the sector provided was Suresh Kumar Poddar of Mayur Uniquoters Limited. Read our profile story on the dynamic entrepreneur who has scripted an incredible journey of fame and success to make Mayur Uniquoters one of the largest manufacturers of synthetic leather in India.

There’s no age limit when it comes to making one’s mark in life, as homemaker-turned-artist Sushma Jain has just proven. In an inspiring article, we bring you the story of Jain who has just had her very first solo art show in Mumbai, at the age of 60!

Nature On Canvas

Sushma Jain, 60, presented a series of paintings inspired by the unspoilt beauty of wildlife and landscapes, at her maiden solo exhibition recently. Jain talks to MARWAR about her passion for art and her artistic journey that began from childhood.

6 mins

Remembering Mahavirprasad Ramkumar Morarka

Industrialist Mahavirprasad Ramkumar Morarkas life is both inspiring and motivating. On his centenary, son Kamal Morarka reminisces about the many facets of the man that made him a pioneering industrialist, a litterateur, a writer, a traditionalist and, most of all, a cherished father.

7 mins

Pushing The Boundaries Of Growth

Success has greeted Suresh Kumar Poddar, the chairman and managing director of Mayur Uniquoters Limited, from the get-go, helping him turn his company into one of the largest manufacturers of synthetic leather in India. In conversation with MARWAR, Poddar talks about how it all began and the long way they have come since.

6 mins

Indefatigable Crusader Of Learning

He who opens a school, shuts the door to ignorance and a world devoid of knowledge. Education is not just about how to read and write, but, more importantly, about how to ignite young minds to grow into respectable and responsible world citizens. As part of the Birla clan, veteran industrialist-turnededucationist and philanthropist Sudarshan Kumar Birla, who currently manages the affairs of Birla Education Trust, Pilani, talks about the vision of the Birla family which set out to establish schools and colleges of excellence as early as 1901.

8 mins

Being Famous

Anant Roongta, the young and dynamic managing director of Famous Studios, is all set to bring a new lease of life to the company.

5 mins

Colours Of The Desert

Rajasthan is a world unto itself. Even if it were to exist in isolation, it would have every imaginable hue and shade of the universe. The people, the structures, the colourful way of lifeall conspire to conjure the heritage of an incredibly beautiful land. Avid lensman Girish Agarwal, who is also Promoter Director of the Dainik Bhaskar Group, captures the true essence of the desert during a sojourn coinciding with the famous Pushkar Mela.

3 mins

Touch Wood

Wooden Street, Indias first online store for custom furniture, revolutionised the online furniture market within a few months of its launch in 2015. MARWAR talks to Lokendra Singh Ranawat, the co-founder and CEO of Wooden Street, to get an insight into his successful entrepreneurial journey, new forays and future plans.

4 mins

A Self-made Man

Mahesh Singhis story is inspiring. From humble beginnings in Rajasthan to acquiring an engineering degree to propelling through a series of career choices to building one of the country's largest corporate advisory and investment banking firms, here is a man who truly is self-made.

5 mins

Pioneering Change

The Society for Rational Development (SFORD) works towards holistic development in the villages of western Rajasthan, under the leadership of Manish Mundra and Dr Sunil Nahar. MARWAR brings you their inspiring story.

4 mins

Tea For Two

For a long time, the only place to catch up with loved ones and enjoy a leisurely cup of tea was your home. Not anymore, thanks to Anirudh Poddar and Aditya Ladsaria, co-founders of Chai Break, who have made tea drinking a pleasurable and social experience. Move over coffee, its time for tea!

4 mins

Read all stories from MARWAR India

MARWAR India Magazine Description:

Marwar is a community-based magazine with an emphasis on profiling the best and the brightest in the Marwari community. The magazine reaches the elite in India and abroad who want to read and discover the wonders of all things connected with the community. Thus, the subjects featured have to have the flavour of Marwar and Rajasthan—its culture, lifestyle and traditions. We highlight arts, crafts, music, dance and theatre as well as fashion and food that are connected to the region apart from immensely successful businessmen and businesswomen. In the past, luminaries like Laxmi Mittal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Indu Jain, Sanjiv Goenka and Rajashree Birla, to name a few, have graced our cover.