Rajiv Ruparelia, 30, is the Managing Director of Ruparelia Group of Companies. The son of Sudhir Ruparelia was recently hosted by Simon Kasyate on Capital FM’s Desert Island Discs for an interesting interview. Quick Talk brings you excerpts.
Good evening and welcome to the programme, Rajiv. How are you keeping?
I am well. It is not a very easy time the world is going through; but, overall, we are doing well. A lot of people are suffering at the moment; our hearts go out to them.
You are more known for the prominent businessman that your father is and [you taking] over as managing director of the entire Ruparelia Group. Quite a huge load on your shoulder!
I love it. I love what I do and the fact that I am doing different things in different industries and sectors. I think the best thing about it is the learning aspect of it all. I learn new things every day.
We are talking about real estate, hospitality, education, sports, media, for just a guy that has 24 hours and you say you are loving it! Let’s be honest, are you not breaking under it?
True, we all have 24 hours in a day but when you run institutions and businesses, you have to also create systems that govern them and follow them up personally. There is not one thing that I do not follow up and I have people whose job is to make follow-ups and make sure that reports are given to me for authorization.
One would say this would require someone with more experience. How did all this begin?
My dad didn’t get to spend much time with us because he was busy building his dreams, but he gave us his time in a different way. Instead of him spending time with us, he would take us to spend time with him. He would take us to construction sites, we’d see him managing people and we began having an open mind.
Where were you born and when?
I was born in Uganda on January 2, 1990. I remember we used to have a tradition where we used to party all the way from Christmas and the end of the party would be my birthday. It would be 14 days of binge drinking, which I do not recommend for anybody.
How was it growing up in the Ruparelia household?
My dad was very loving, but I think my mum [Jyotsna Ruparelia] played a big role in our upbringing. She would drop us at school, check what we have studied, take us for sports, organize for us cooking lessons and science experiments at home…
You are talking about ‘us’…
I have two elder sisters, Sheena and Meera. Sheena heads our hotel group, while Meera is married [to Ravi Kotecho] and is successful running one of the top five sugar trading companies in Kenya.
You must have been a spoilt child…
I wasn’t a spoilt child; I am still a spoilt child [bursts into laughter]. But as much as my dad spoilt me, I always knew that eventually this would follow my two feet and I have to maintain that lifestyle. I have a lavish lifestyle, but I also put in much effort in my work; so, it is all part of the puzzle.
What kind of parents are your dad and mum? Have you ever had a spanking from them?
I had an altercation with my dad one day. I refused to cut my fingernails and he gave me three days to do it, but I refused. We had a bit of an altercation but nothing serious. I don’t really think that beating a child gets the best out of them.
I started drinking and smoking at a quite young age and told my dad about it. I told him it is not your body I am destroying, it’s my body; I understand that you don’t like it, but I do not want to do it behind your back.
Take me through your education…
I started at the International School of Uganda (ISU) but my dad wanted a British education for us; so, he took me to Kabira International School Uganda [a Ruparelia Group school] where I studied until I was nine. At that point, most of my friends left to study in Kenya and I wanted to follow them but my mum refused and said they were taking me to Britain because that is where my sisters were.
I went to Dragon School in Oxford and that is where I fundamentally changed. By the time I left, I was first in football, rugby, captain of the golf team and second team of tennis.
After, I went to Haileybury and that is where my education got interesting, because I got suspended.
Why?
We had a fight with some kid who was being racist towards Ugandans and blacks. I come from a country where I believe I may not be black, but my heart and senses I am Ugandan and I would protect that image anywhere in the world. When he said whatever he said, me and another kid from South Africa wrestled him down and while we were still at it, the teacher walked in. Because we knew we were going to be suspended anyway, we just went on.
I am not proud of those moments and I don’t encourage people to do that, but I encourage them not to let others walk all over them. My dad has told me never to start a fight, but also make sure I finish a fight when it comes my way.
Did your parents feel they needed to bring you home so as to groom you properly?
I think they were scared to bring me back home. They were worried I would lose humility here, because we are rich. You see, in England, you are nobody. No matter who you are or where you come from and that humbles us.
I obtained my degree in Business Administration though I didn’t like the course [he preferred finance and banking]. I found it boring, because I am dyslexic and struggle to read and write long essays and that really made me anxious. After graduating, I came back to Uganda and started working.
How does it feel to carry the moniker omwana w’omugagga (rich man’s son)?
I do not think of it. I did not choose to be born by him nor did I choose this family. When people say such things, I just give them a deaf ear. My employees do not respect me because my father is the owner of the company; they respect me on merit. I have trained majority of my top management myself and through guidance, hard work, their knowledge, abilities and teamwork, we were driven to this position.
How did you start off with the Ruparelia Group?
I was already working during my holidays, whenever I came back from school. I used to go to construction sites and Kampala Parents School was my first project when we were doing the expansion plan. We were also building the CMI headquarters in trade for the Shimoni land we had got.
Let us get a bit cheeky; how did you meet your wife?
I met [Naiya Ruparelia] at a revision camp. We did not start dating then though. I remember I was sitting alone and she came and sat next to me. I look at her and she starts talking endlessly, but since I am not much of a talker, I just kept looking at her. At the time I was about 17 and we never met again until I was 22 and we started hanging out in London, and things evolved from there.
What is your favourite dish?
I eat everything. I am a foodie. I love Indian food, but I also like Ugandan food.
And what do you wash it down best with?
I stopped drinking whiskey recently, because it gets me too excited. I am now taking beers only.
Where do you see Rajiv in the next 10 to 20 years?
I want to continue growing this business. One of the businesses we want to get into is the growing of medical cannabis. We have applied for licenses and continue pushing the government to issue them to us.
Where in Uganda would you like to be marooned for a weekend and why?
That would be Nile Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls [national park]. It is probably the most upmarket safari lodge in Uganda at the moment.
[During the show Rajiv requested for Wake Me Up by Avicii, Walking Away by Craig David, More Money, More Problems by Notorious B.I.G, You Are Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover by James Blunt.]
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