Saturday, October 6, 2012
Robert Vadra & The Innocence Of Journalists
I seriously envy the Ghar-Jamais. They aren’t born with a silver spoon but definitely married with a platinum one. The typical Ghar-Jamai is a son-in-law who moves in with his wife to the father-in-law’s house (or in a house bought by the father-in-law) and eventually joins the pop-in-law’s business empire. Nothing wrong about it. I am simply jealous!
Now who are the Top Ghar-Jamais of Delhi? Well the first name that comes to my mind is that of Timmy Sarna who married the heiress of the DLF Group, Pia Singh. Before marriage Timmy worked in his family venture – Sarna Exports. In the year 2000, Timmy Sarna launched Comma Home - a lifestyle store offering a wide choice of furnishing solutions. Timmy, MD of Comma Home had then planned 10 more stores across the country by 2002 but Comma Home has disappeared now. Timmy Sarna has joined his pop-in-law’s empire and is the MD of DLF Brands. Earlier Timmy lived in Green Park but post his marriage, he and Pia lives in a sprawling house in Aurangzeb Road.
Another lucky dude is Shikhar Malhotra who married Roshni Nadar, the daughter of Tech Billionaire Shiv Nadar of the $5-billion HCL Group. Before marrying Roshni in November 2009, Shikhar Malhotra had the modest business of Distrubutorship of Honda cars. Post his marriage with Roshni Nadar, Shikhar Malhotra is the CEO of the Shiv Nadar Schools, a pet-project of Shiv Nadar. According to reliable sources, Roshni and Shikhar last year moved in to a plush house in posh Delhi that Shiv Nadar bought for Rs. 100 Crores.
The latest one to join the gang of Ghar-Jamai’s is Arjun Prasad. A banker of sorts from UK, Arjun Prasad got married to Pernia Qureshi, daughter of Moin Qureshi, one of India’s largest meat exporter. The couple recently moved in to the Service Apartments at Aman, which obviously is paid for by pop-in-law, Moin Qureshi. Workwise…nobody knows what Arjun does. Most assume he tags along with his wife who at times plan to make movies but currently occupied in launching her own label of designer wear.
No I haven’t forgotten the most famous Ghar-Jamai. I am sure you know who I am talking about. But the guy took too many liberties of being the Jamai of India’s most powerful family and resultant messed up his cozy life. Last heard he is no more staying at the wifey’s house so guess he is no more a Ghar Jamai.
Kushal Pal Singh of DLF turned 80 on August 15, 2011 and is still celebrating his birthday, which will conclude with the Mega Bash on the 15th of November at Udaipur. And I though the country’s biggest Real Estate Group is facing cash-crunch and owes a lot of money to the banks.
Anyways the grand finale of the three-month long birthday bash of KP Singh is at Udaipur on Tuesday (15th November), which as most of you know will have Shakira performing with Shahid Kapoor to an eclectic crowd consisting of B-Town Celebs, Business Tycoons and Political Big-Wigs.
Now I got to know from a highly reliable source that the iconic Irish Rock Band – U2′s front-man Bono is attending KP Singh’s bash. No Bono wouldn’t be performing. He is coming in as a guest of KP with his wife, Ali Hewson who is known for her Organic Fashion Label – EDUN. This sure’s gonna be a Baap of All Bash. Well the grand old man – KP Singh deserves it all!
On 25th August 2011 Fashionscandal.com brought you the news that DLF is planning to sell off Aman Resorts minus the Aman Hotel in Delhi to the Malaysian Goverment. You can read the earlier post here: http://wp.me/p1C8a1-Co
However the latest development states that LVMH is most likely to acquire Amanresorts International Pte from DLF Ltd. that owns and manages 25 small luxury resorts worldwide. DLF is seeking to raise as much as US$ 2.2 billion through asset sales to repay debt, according to its latest annual report.
LVMH announced in April 2010 of its plans to foray into luxury property developments on islands in Oman and Egypt under the Cheval Blanc brand. The first Maison du Cheval Blanc hotel was built by LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault at the French ski resort of Courchevel in 2006. The buying out of Amanresorts International Pte. is part of LVMH’s growth plan. DLF, which acquired Aman Resorts in 2007 for $400 million has got offers from bidders that range from $400 million to $450 million.
DLF is retaining the Aman Hotel in New Delhi. However DLF cannot continue with the name ‘Aman’ post the sell-out. Sources say that the luxury hotel would be rechristianed as Lodi Hotel.
Fashionscandal.com posted on 6th of July 2011 that DLF is planning to sell off Aman Resorts, which they acquired in 2007 for $400 Million. The sale offer did not include the Aman Hotel in New Delhi. Here is the link to the previous post: http://wp.me/p1C8a1-yM
DLF, which is going through a financial crunch is also looking to divest its stake in the Hilton Group. Some feel that these divestments are aimed at distancing DLF from Robert Vadra owned Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. DLF Hotel Holdings entered into partnership with Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. but after that the group has been facing political heat from the Opposition parties.
Goldman Sachs has been appointed to oversee the sale of Aman Resorts and according to reports the talks are in advanced stages with Khazanah, the Malaysian Government’s Investment Holding arm. The deal is reportedly valued at US$350 Million.