Dare To Dream

by Bachi J. Karkariya

M. S. Oberoi with his son P. R. S. Oberoi Born in a small Punjab village at the turn of the century, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi began his career in the industry on a fifty-rupee-a-month wage at Simlas Cecil Hotel. But he was not destined to remain in his lowly position for long. With a combination of clear-sighted thinking, frugality and sheer hard work, he managed to put together a plan and the finances necessary to acquire his first Clarkes. That was only the beginning... Decades later, The Oberoi Group has thirty hotels, girdles the globe, and is acknowledged as a standard setter. In this well-researched and candid biography, written with the cooperation of M.S. Oberoi, Bachi J. Karkaria describes how a man of modest beginnings became the head of an internationally celebrated hotel chain, and shows how a major business is built up, run and kept at the top.

Genres: Biography, India, Business

271 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2003

Reviews

[Rishi Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oberoi has been THE brand for me when it comes to hospitality industry seeing it first hand in last few years. I picked this book just to see how they reached where they are today and to understand what it takes for someone to get so good and amazingly consistent across so many properties which is their hallmark!! It is indeed a fascinating tale which truly starts in 1922 when Rai Bahadur thought of applying for a job by taking the test for the PWD (Power and Works Department), which was the first test he ever took and failed to clear leading him to a different career path which became his destiny.

His "hotel" journey started after getting awestruck with Cecil's( Shimla) and deciding to work only there because it made such a huge impression on him!! He applied for a job there after failing the PWD test but was clearly told that there are no vacancies which did not deter him at all as he waited patiently for the manager to go home for lunch, and impresses him with his perfect tie knot and impeccable manners to score a job tracking coal supplies in the Cecil hotel, and thus started the career of the man who will later go on to own many hotels much bigger than the one where he started off :-)

The story goes through history as it coincides with India's growth too and the author beautifully draws lovely parallels that bring a smile to your face and make the biography read like a novel. I would like to quote just one such paragraph from the book:

"The effects of Spencer and Coa neglect of AHI had to be reversed. Flashmans at Rawalpindi required a new wing. Maidens in Delhi needed funds to get back its former glory. Its predicament was not unlike that of three young women, who decades earlier, had come out East, stayed in the hotel and, caught up in Delhi's blandishments, overshot their budget. They were forced to send a telegram to their parents: Send money or can remain maidens no more!!"

This book is a must read for all of us who aspire to " Create" something on their own which stays even after we leave...

[Trishna Damodar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever inspiring! A wonderful read for budding hoteliers, entrepreneurs or readers who enjoy reading how to overcome obstacles in life and shine!

[Girish Kohli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An articulate, in-depth and inspiring account of India's greatest hotelier. A true under dog story that is surprisingly not yet a movie.
Dare to dream is a must read for every hotellier around the world and for every person who has ever stayed in a hotel.

RAI BAHADUR MOHAN SINGH OBEROI
(1898-2001)
“I have gambled all my life and still managed to sleep at night”

[Manish · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I love the Oberoi hotel chain when I have visited India. From Simla to Bombay to Delhi and to Hyderabad, I have tried their food and hospitality. Reading this though really made me respect the dynasty even more. Now, when I walk past the red piano at Nariman Point to eat at Vineet Bhatia’s Ziya, I might think of Biki and Tikki, the Oberoi Sons and how it must have been like to grow up with M.S. Oberoi as their doting dad. When I visit Delhi’s Oberoi (what an amazing renovation there), I can recall the chapters of how that hotel was built. I loved this book and almost feel part of its rich history more.

[Bhuvanesh Kandasamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true underdog story! Starting as a coal clerk to buying is first hotel, Mohan Singh Oberoi had made the best of his opportunities to establish a world class chain of hotels. By his network of wealthy connections, taking risk by leveraging at the right time by thinking long term, bringing and breaking away from partners at the right time, optimising cost to the fullest without comprising on the experience had aided him well to expand his hotel empire. However, this game is not for everyone as being a capital intensive business which requires huge leverage during long periods, requires not just skill but luck to manage.

[Garima · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Mohan Singh to Rai Bahadur, from a clerk to a the biggest hotelier in India, this is the story of an undying fire of ambition, unceasing pursuit of an aim. to say that his uphill journey from a sleepy village in the now Pakistan to the King of Indian hoteliering is inspiring is an understatement. It speaks of incessant hard work, unending hours, still without losing his humility, his kindness. This is a great read not only for entrepreneurs, but for every one of us. His life is a lesson in how an enduring faith in himself and an unwavering worship of his work led him to move mountains.

[Dr.Chinmay Kulkarni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written biography of Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi of Oberoi Hotels. A poor man who started as a clerk in a hotel later built more than 30 five star hotels throughout the world and pioneered one of the most respected hotel brands in the world. The book is so well written that it reads almost like a novel, creating pictures of old times in your mind. A very inspiring story.

[Maganraj Bafna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a great man...but the writing is very poor, narration is bad and the author has really wasted a nice opportunity...the subject was great but treatment awful.

[Ankush · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring man of his time and book is very well written too.

[Sparsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational book which just states that with determination, Sky is the limit. Regards to MS Oberoi for creating a world class Indian hotel chain in his lifetime

[YASHWANT RAM MEESALA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional journey of a common man to the kingpin in the hotel industry.

[Anil Atluri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mohan Singh began his hotelier life with ₹5000 and became the brand Oberoi, across continents. Did you know that he is the guy who began room service in Indian hotels? How he lost and how he won in life. This book tells you how he did it. If you are into biographies you would like it.

[Shrikant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating account of the life of an Indian hotelier who began his career as a humble hotel clerk and went on to create the renowned Oberoi hotel chain. It is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking insights into the hotel industry.

The book portrays the hotel man's extraordinary persistence and determination to achieve his goals, regardless of the obstacles he faced. Work was his life, and he dedicated himself fully to building a hotel empire that would earn global recognition.

The author provides an in-depth look at the hotelier's journey, highlighting the challenges he faced along the way and how he overcame them. His unwavering commitment to excellence, as well as his innovative approach to hospitality, led to his making a name for Indian hotels on the international stage.

[Reema Lodha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read....the rising from rags to riches story is very well told...

Read about the hotel business find out what this man Oberoi is capable of...awesome...and highly inspiring

Also realized that Tata's and Oberois are not enemies they are healthy competitors...Ratan Tata worked with Oberoi family and now Vikram Oberoi works under him...strange mentors :)

Great insights into the hospitality industry and also a lesson on how to run a business and an empire...

[Vinod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read into the life of Man who singly built a truly Indian Luxury Hotel Chain.

[Neerja]

It’s a must read
Well written and inspirational

[Giju · Rating 4 out of 5]

One the first business books i read. Inspiring story.