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Vijay Mallya
(born December 18, 1955) is an Indian businessman and
Rajya Sabha MP. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya,
he is the Chairman of the United Breweries Group and
Kingfisher Airlines, which draws its name from United
Breweries Group's flagship beer brand, Kingfisher.
In 2007 Mallya
was ranked as the 664th richest person in the world with
a net fortune of $1.5 billion. He receives substantial
press coverage that focuses on his lavish parties and
his yacht, the Indian Empress.
Achievement:
Like all beginnings of successful men, Mallya’s too was
not spectacular. In fact, he did not have much of a
choice. Faced with a company started by his father,
Mallaya had no alternative but to take over. Being an
only child, his options were definitely limited. From
there started the enormous saga of UB.
However, it is wrong to assume that liquor is all that
interests Mallya. His interest in race horses is
legendary and he is the proud owner of a string of
winners. This interest is only rivaled by his passion
for race cars. In fact, he has admitted many times,
albeit more in jest, that, “All fast things hold an
interest for me”.
Chairman of the United Beverages (UB) Group; Launched a
new domestic airline called Kingfisher Airline; Rajya
Sabha M.P.
Vijay Mallya is the Chairman of the United Beverages (UB)
Group. He recently launched a new domestic airline
called Kingfisher Airline which is making great waves.
Vijay Mallya is famous for his flamboyant and flashy
lifestyle.
In 2005, Vijay Mallya established Kingfisher Airlines.
In a short span of time Kingfisher Airline has carved a
niche for itself. It was the first airline in India to
operate with all new aircrafts. Kingfisher Airlines is
also the first Indian airline to order the Airbus A380.
Vijay Mallya has other interests too apart from
business. He has won trophies in professional car racing
circuits and is a keen yachtsman and aviator. Vijay
Mallya has also won numerous trophies in horse racing
including several prestigious Derbies.
In 2000, Vijay Mallya entered politics superceded
Subramaniam Swamy as the president of Janata Party.
Presently, he is a Rajya Sabha M.P.
Dr VIJAY MALLYA took the reins as chairman of the UB
Group in 1983 and since then, the Group has grown into a
multi-national business conglomerate of over 60
companies with an annual turnover which has increased by
439% to US$ 1.2 billion in 1998-99 despite the frequent
devaluation of currencies in many developing countries,
including India, where the group operates. The focal
business area of the group encompass Beverage Alcohol,
Life Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture and Chemicals,
Information Technology and Leisure.
Brilliant orator and sportsman, VIJAY MALLYA has won
trophies on the professional car racing circuits and is
a keen Yachtsman and aviator. He is involved in a
variety of sport by way of personal participation as
well as promotion of sport and cultural activities by
steering various sponsorships. Amongst his museum
collection of historic rare automobiles are Jaguars,
Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Mercedes Benz.VIJAY MALLYA has
always believed that Corporate Enterprise must have a
strong sense of responsibility towards society and more
importantly, the needy. To this end VIJAY MALLYA has
achieved the following:
The establishment of the Mallya Hospital in Bangalore,
India with charity ward. The establishment of the
Mallya-Aditi Intrnational School in Bangalore, India,
with a section for subsidized education. Sponsorships of
sporting events for the physically handicapped and poor.
Contributions to: The Victoria and Albert Museum,
London; Prince's Youth trust; and the Duke of Endinburgh
Awards Scheme. |
