The world belongs to those who have courage, determination and nerves of steel. And there are few who could measure up with living legend Harilela. In fact, Harilelas' is a typical rags-to-riches story, which incorporates terrific Indian business acumen coupled with hard work. No wonder then that Hari Harilela, chairman of the Hong Kong-based Harilela group, once scathingly remarked in an interview that if India is to compete with China in economic development or attracting foreign direct investment, the Indian politicians will have to do more than change the names of cities - from Bombay to Mumbai and Madras to Chennai.

The Harilela story began in 1922, when Hari's father, Naroomal Harilela, left his hometown of Hyderabad in present day Pakistan and journeyed to Canton in search of his fortune. He set up a small shop and flourished on the West's fascination with the Orient, exporting a steady stream of Chinese antiques, jade and other curios around the world. Within eight years after arriving in Canton, he was able to send for his wife, Devibai, and three sons - George, Hari and Peter - to join him. In fact, it was in 1945 that the Harilela brothers began making their presence felt in Hong Kong.

It was Harilelas' integrity that endeared them to the British. The army appointed the Harilelas as their main supplier. They also did their laundry, as well as made uniforms from cloth the army supplied. They continued working out of their small shop on Hankow Road, and before long opened a shop in Kowloon Hotel. With the arrival of more British and Commonwealth troops in 1940s in Hong Kong, the Harilela's found themselves importing more and more cloth to meet demand.

The family opened another store and soon became the largest importer of British textiles. In the late '60s, Hari suggested to his brothers that they diversify into other lines of business. The brothers entered the local retail business and opened a Best Ladies' and a Best Men's retail store. The brothers then began to dabble in the real estate and hotel business. Hari Harilela bought his first hotel, the Imperial Hotel on Nathan Road in 1960-61. In 1969, he began construction of the Holiday Inn hotel. But riots in Hong Kong caused a crash in the local property and tourism market, and halted its construction.

The brothers were forced to sell the Imperial Hotel and other assets to buy out investors and to fund construction of their new hotel. On November 12, 1975, the doors of the Harilelas' wholly-owned Holiday Inn Golden Mile opened for business. It was turning point for the Harilelas' fortunes. The Holiday Inn Golden Mile earned the family its major fortune and enabled the brothers to buy back the Imperial Hotel. The family continued to invest in hotels overseas and today owns luxury hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, London, Penang, Montreal, New York, Washington and Sydney.

As chairman, Hari Harilela lords over a billion-dollar empire that spans hotels, real estate and banking. On his part, Hari Harilela has ensured that the family stays bound together and today over 60 members of the Harilela family stay together under one roof. He has worked equally hard doing community work, and received an OBE in 1969 in recognition of his contribution to society. Today, Hari Harilela is also an adviser to the Chinese government. Though still brimming with enthusiasm, Hari Harilela now intends to move into the background and promote the younger generation. Thanks to the solid foundation he has laid for the future generation to reach from one milestone to another. Harilela's rags-to-riches story, is sure to inspire budding entrepreneurs for years to come.