TO most Ludhianvis, Hero is not just a brandname. It is a business house that,
along with some other mega houses, have given Ludhiana the kind of clout it has
on the commercial and industrial map of the country today. So the news that
Hero, the world’s largest manufacturer of bicycles since 1986, completes a
record of selling 10 crore bicycles, it is as much a celebration for Ludhiana,
as for the Hero group.
The 10th crore bicycle was auctioned for Rs 10 lakh by the group, revealed
Chairman of Hero Cycles Brij Mohan Munjal. The company also organised a function
at Hotel Park Plaza to mark the completion of 50 years. The cheque of Rs 10 lakh
was presented to CM Captain Amarinder Singh, who was the chief guest on the
occasion. The management did not divulge who had purchased the bicycle for Rs 10
lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Harnam Das Johar said, ‘‘Brij
Mohan used to do accounts work for me in the 1950s. I feel happy
that today, the family has a name on the world map.’’
Munjal, on his part, had this to say: ‘‘During the days when I handled
accounts for Johar Sahab, he taught me business skills, which have stood me in
good stead. I also used to visit Tulsi Das Jetwani Ji, another city
industrialist who is now in his 90s, for seeking answers to my queries.’’
Jetwani, sitting amongst the spectators, stood up to acknowledge what Brij Mohan
Munjal said. .
Noted Om Parkash Munjal, Co-Chairman and CEO of the company, ‘‘The company
was started by my three brothers and me. Today, even our third generation is
working with us and contributing to expand the group. In a few years, the fourth
generation will join us too. Today, more than 5 lakh families are associated
with us, and we are committed to our workforce of 4,000 workers and a strong
network of dealers.’’
It was revealed at the function that Hero now has 200 models of cycles, and
their daily production is nearly 1,650 cycles. Talking about the labour unrest
at the units, Brij Mohan Munjal said that while some external forces are
spoiling the industry environment, the administration is trying to ensure that
the workers are a satisfied lot, and are not misguided.
More than 600 industrialists from Ludhiana and outer cities had come to
attend the function. While many were seen searching for seats, others were seen
standing throughout the function. DC A K Gupta, Municipal Commissioner S K
Sharma, SSP A S Rai, the entire Munjal family and many others were also seen on
the occasion.
To celebrate the day, the management gave 150 cycles to needy persons all
over the state, as per the list presented by the chairmen of the various
Improvement Trusts in the state.
Reliance will be okayed, says CM
Speaking at the function, the CM
categorically said that the Reliance project will be okayed within this week,
come what may. The CM said, ‘‘Let people shout. By december 31, all will come to
know the benefits of this project themselves, as it is going to boost the
economy of small farmers.’’
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