RAGS TO RICHES WITH A HEART OF GOLD!

Mr. Pradeep Bhavnani

Today a well established sindhi businessman, Mr.Pradeep Bhavnani was born on 29th March, 1953 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. His father Shri Kishanchand Narayandas Bhavnani was the Principal of Sindhi Model High School. Mr.Pradeep completed his schooling from the same school.In the year 1969, he completed his secondary school and started work at a small age of 16 at a hotel. At that time he was just paid Rs. 250/- and his father was earning a modest Rs. 350/- per. But financial factors could never dissuade him from pursuing his further studies. He acquired a First Class B.Com degree from H.R college and then went on to complete his MBA from Jamnadas Bajaj institute. Initially he worked for a chemical company where he used to get a salary of Rs. 500/- , a decent sum in those days. but nowhere close to his calibre, or what destiny had in 'stock' for him.

It was the world of stock exchange that changed his life. Today he stands a man of global repute. But the journey onward thence has not been without struggle. All through hs life, he strongly held on to his values, morals and beliefs, always voicing what he feels deserves telling. From the business point of view, he followed a simple policy: buying and not selling (assets & values).

The dynamic thinker that he is, Mr.Bhavnani had started three organizations.
-->Mumbai Youth Association
-->National association for small assets.
-->Bhartiya Sindh Samaj.

In Mumbai Youth Association there are 33000 members. In National Association for small assets there are six lac seventy thousand members and in Bhartiya Sindh Samaj there are total eleven lac members. He wants to work for the upliftment for the Sindhi language. He wants to introduce “Sindhi” as a subject in school. He believes in unity of all. According to him one should not distinguish between caste, religion and region and treat everyone equally.Mumbai youth association (Mulund) and National Association of Small Assets are national level organizations.

Mr. Bhavnani has always worked for the upliftment and betterment of the common man. But he prefers staying away from the lime light. He advocates and exemplifies simple living and high thinking.

During 1998, when the rates of onions had reached Rs. 50/- per Kg Mr.Bhavnani pressurized the government and successfully got the rates reduced.He has also been proactive in the matter of load shedding.

Today, Mr.Bhavnani is all over the print media for a decision that every Indian stands in appreciation of. Mr.Bhavnani has committed himself to purchasing 'The Kraal', Mahatma Gandhi's house in Johannesburg. The fact that he came forth to buy the house at a time when no one else seemed to bother seems to have touched Land lady Nancy Ball. A Gandhian by belief, he had tried to outbid Mr.Vijay Mallya at the auction for some of the Mahatma's belongings, but a massive heart attack forced him out of the race.

Behind the media attention and the bling of money, is a man true to his beliefs. An activist as selfless as should be. It is this side of Mr.Bhavnani, that IB acknowledges with great respect.

- REEMA SENGUPTA, INDIA BUREAU
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