GenNext set to take Hinduja reins

The group is aggressively exploring investments in infrastructure.

Winds of change are blowing over the Hinduja House, the Hinduja family bastion in London. Next-generation Hindujas Remi, Sanjay, Ajay, Dheeraj and Vinoo are set to take over the reins of the family's businesses ranging from banking, oil and media to information technology, health care and transport.

These movements have come in the wake of reports that the Hindujas, after their acquittal in the Bofors case, are planning to enter the Indian market with full force.

The group is aggressively exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, including roads, power, energy and water.

Of the five young turks of the family, three will head for Indian shores, while Ajay, the son of Prakash Hinduja and Sanjay, the son of Gopi Chand Hinduja, will stay back in Europe.

Dheeraj, the other son of Gopi Chand, who is expected to take over the business of Ashok Leyland, is also expected to move base to India permanently, most probably to Chennai where the company is headquartered.

Ashok Leyland has recently announced plans of entering the passenger car segment. Remi, the other son of Prakash Hinduja, who is slated to take over the group's interests in media, IT and banking, is expected to continue shuttling between India and the UK.

Remi will look after Hinduja TMT, IndusInd Bank and the cable business. Vinoo, Srichand Hinduja's daughter, is set to look after the PD Hinduja hospital in Mumbai and the Hinduja Foundation.

While Sanjay is slated to take over Gulf Oil, Ajay will look after the group's European banking interest, Amas IPS in Geneva. Gulf Oil has plans of expanding its business to West Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.