Bold beautification bid

Mumbai: Mumbai's infrastructure is groaning under the incessant onslaught of a burgeoning population, proliferating slums and stifling pollution. Any effort to tackle these problems must be welcomed.

The Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC), established in 1907, is an apex body of trade, commerce and industry in the western region of India. During the course of its eventful history, it has played a pivotal role in the industrial and economic development of the country.

Its illustrious history is mirrored in the background of its new president, Shailesh Haribhakti, who is the managing partner of the Haribhakti group, one of India's oldest and widely respected groups of chartered accountants, financial and taxation consultants. His father, V B Haribhakti, was the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and also the president of IMC.

Haribhakti started working at the young age of 14 and was a topper throughout his educational career. He seems to have brought this penchant for over-achievement with him as he takes over as IMC president. He is passionate about salvaging Mumbai as a city. Here is one reason why he could succeed — Haribhakti has no grandiose plans or dramatic claims. He wants to take on just a few high-profile and doable projects under the IMC banner and ensure that they happen within his one-year tenure as president.

Domain-b interviewed him to find out more about this dynamic man who seems capable of making a success of whatever he takes on. Excerpts from the interview: