Your Dose Of Inspiration Today: The Rags-To-Riches Story Of Mohan Singh Oberoi

We must have the courage and will to succeed. Of course, failures upset us at times. But we must have a strong spirit and a desire for victory, like the founder and chairman of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts.

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi is proof that every failure and bad times can be vanquished only if you keep on moving ahead with the belief that good things are just a turn away.

Hotel Oberoi Mumbai | cntraveller.in

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi founded and built India's second-largest hotel empire by facing a series of failures and began his career with a paltry sum of only Rs 25 given by his mother.

Most of us are already aware of the Oberoi Group and its founder Mohan Singh Oberoi, but many are unaware of how the brand actually began and went on to become India's first modern five-star, world-class hotel.

Who is Mohan Singh Oberoi?

Mohan Singh Oberoi | Facebook

MS Oberoi was born in a Sikh family in Bhanau village from Pakistan¡¯s Jhelum district. He was only six-month-old when his father passed away and after the loss of his father all the responsibilities of Oberoi fell on his mother¡¯s shoulder which was not an ideal situation in those days for a woman. Hence when he was old enough, Mohan Singh decided to drop out of his studies and began working in his uncle¡¯s shoe factory in Lahore (before Partition) as a manager in 1918. But the factory shut down within a year itself due to widespread riots across Amritsar and at the same time his life took another turn and he was married to Ishran Devi.

After his marriage, Mohan Oberoi began to live with his brother-in-law in Sargondha, Pakistan hoping to get some employment but days kept passing by and nothing came his way.

Failures and upsets galore

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi | Oberoi Hotels

After spending much time and money when he failed to find any job, MS returned to his village. In such a situation, MS wanted to stay with his mother and wanted to take care of her but she refused and told him to return to his in-laws house and find some work. It is said that when MS Oberoi was leaving the house, his mother handed him Rs 25.

Dared to dream

After a lot of struggle and failures, in 1922, Oberoi came to Shimla to escape from the epidemic of plague and got a job as a front desk clerk at The Cecil Hotel at a salary of Rs 50 per month. Mohan had got this opportunity after many troubles so he gave his 100 percent to make the best use of the opportunity.

MS Oberoi had come to Shimla barefoot with just Rs 25 in his pocket and now he was responsible for the up-gradation of one of the most prominent hotels of Shimla.

Rags to riches

In 1934, Mr. Oberoi acquired his first property, The Clarkes Hotel, from his mentor by mortgaging his wife's jewellery and all his assets. His hard work ensured that he paid back all the mortgage money over the next five years. After that, he signed a lease to take over operations of the five hundred rooms Grand Hotel in Calcutta that was on sale following a cholera epidemic. With his customary confidence and sheer determination to succeed, he was able to convert this hotel into a highly profitable business venture.

A interior view of hotel grand Oberoi in daylight

Mohan Singh Oberoi never stopped working hard which is key to his success and that¡¯s why he always kept on climbing the ladder of success. MS Oberoi founded India's second-largest hotel company, and the group employs more than 12,000 people worldwide and owns and operates 31 luxury hotels and luxury cruisers in five countries, primarily under its Oberoi Hotels and Resorts and Trident brands.

Known as the father of the hotel industry

Mohan Singh Oberoi is recognised as the father of the Indian Hotel Industry, who has left behind a legacy of service quality and perfection, which is reflected in his creation of the Oberoi Group of hotels.

View of Trident hotel and Oberoi hotel from Marine Drive.

Awards and achievements

In 1943, Mr. Oberoi was conferred the title of Rai Bahadur by the British Government in recognition of his services to the Crown. Thereafter, Mr. Oberoi won acclaim and received several national and international awards including admission to the Hall of Fame by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and Man of The World award by the International Hotel Association (IHA), New York. In 2001, the Government of India accorded him the Padma Bhushan. After many ups and downs, Mohan Sigh Oberoi took his last breath on May 3, 2002.

Despite coming from a remote village, MS Oberoi¡¯s hard work has given him wealth and recognition at a global level making him a tremendous source of inspiration for everyone who says no to every failure that comes their way.