Sahrara Chief: I have got an HIV test done and I do not have AIDS,

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note: It is unusual for a Indian Industry chiefs to declare that

they have done an HIV test]

Sahara chief is hale and hearty

DIWAKAR & ABHEEK BARMAN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2005 12:02:18 AM ]

LUCKNOW: Obituaries for Subrata Roy — chief of the Rs 50,000-crore

Sahara empire — have been premature.

Not only is this 57-year-old flamboyant tycoon alive and healthy, he

looks trimmer than before, having shed 15 kg in the last three

months.

However, dogged by persistent rumours that he's critically ill, or

possibly dead, he posed for our photographer in his 100-acre estate

in Lucknow, playing badminton, cricket, billiards and golf, doing

yoga and pumping iron.

To clinch the debate about the state of his health, he also produced

a medical certificate that declares him to be free of any

disease. " I have got an HIV test done and I do not have AIDS, " he

said.

The Times of India met him on Wednesday evening for an exclusive

interview at his spanking new office here in Sahara City, as his

estate is called.

From 7:30 in the evening, he spoke till almost midnight on subjects

ranging from his succession plans, his political friends and

business ventures — apart from, of course, his health.

Roy said he had been diagnosed with blood pressure surges resulting

from his stressed lifestyle, but this was a condition that he had

suffered from as early as 1987.

This time, however, he came under tremendous pressure from his

mother Chhabi Roy, wife Swapna and children Sushanto and Seemanto,

to change his lifestyle and shake off his ailment.

As a result, he's given up alcohol and cigarettes, eats mostly

vegetarian food, is down from six rotis or paranthas to two, and

makes sure that he gets at least six hours of sleep undistracted by

late-night revelry.

Did he and buddy Amar Singh, as people close to Mukesh Ambani

allege, stoke the acrimonious dispute between Mukesh and Anil over

control of Reliance?

Roy said he's dismayed by the dispute.

" It's very sad and troubling to see Mukesh and Anil fight. I've

talked to them many times and the only thing I can tell them now is

to get over with it as fast as possible, " he said, shaking his head.

Later, in another context, he said, " I had great admiration for

Dhirubhai who I used to meet regularly. While he was alive, Reliance

was India's largest first generation company. Today, that position

belongs to Sahara. "

However, the Ambani dispute did influence his decision to settle the

future of his company. Roy dismissed all talks of a succession plan

that would see his sons Sushanto and Seemanto taking over the Sahara

group.

" Sahara is a family, it can't be split up and given away to two

children or to anyone like that. Sahara will not have any owners and

will be run by a trust which will make it impossible to split the

group in 200 years, " he said.

____________

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1137884,curpg-

2.cms

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Sahrara Chief: " I have got an HIV test done and I do not have AIDS, "

Kudos to Sahara chief for taking the lead and opening out, should have a

positive effect on many in the indian context.

Now Boolywood stars should come forward and you will find the whole country

following them in their action

Dr Ratti

E-ail: <rattiad1@...>