Samir Modi was born with the proverbial silver spoon. His genealogy explains all "" Father K K Modi is the chairman of Godfrey Phillips and is the Indian-partner of ESPN. While mother Bina runs the hi-fashion boutique, Obsession and the mecca for the Capital's hip, the pub Ego.
Modi began his career at Phillip Morris in the USA in 1993. And now at twenty seven, he is vice-chairman and managing director of Modicare, which has just launched a range of homecare and cosmetic products in the Capital.
While the innate businessman in him aims for big profits, this scion of the Modi family believes: In order to get from the community, you have to give backto the community. With this laudable motive, Modi will soon set up the 'Rai Bahadur Gujarmal Modi AIDS Foundation', in memory of his grandfather. I belong to a family which is strongly associated with social causes. While we have set up several schools and colleges in the past, the need of the hour is creating AIDS awareness in the country.
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One per cent of the total sales from Modicare products will go towards funding the Foundation. We are also looking for corporate donations "" nationally as well as internationally, adds Modi. Besides roping in leading Indian doctors, scientists and academics, Modi is also hoping to build an international network with people active in this field.
He spews dire facts and figures: The probability of acquiring the HIV virus from blood transfusion in India is 1 in 10, compared to 1 in 6, 35, 000 in the West? Clearly, Modi has immersed himself in AIDS- related research.
My work at the office and my commitment to the Foundation leave me with little time to pursue other interests, he rues. While he enjoys vacationing overseas and occasionally dabbles in photography, dishing out gastronomic delights is a passion with him. Modi claims equal skill at preparing Thai, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Indian cuisines. My wife is always complaining that I don't cook often enough, he laughs.