Raghu- A Noble Man

Raghu was my brother in law and indeed a very kind and generous one too. In those days India has been my home for many years and he was a source of unstinting support both big and small to make my personal life easier: from hotels to air miles for a holiday!

Raghu was a kind man of few words but deep commitments to his family, friends and to his pioneering work in the Indian retail industry. He was one of those people whom I always asked for advice, or an opinion about the nitty-gritty of business management, investments, business trends and so on.

It was painful to hear about his demise. I wish the things and the fate could be different. Everyone comes to this world to do something good and to conquer the evil. Raghu’s dharma has been to enrich and simplify the lives of so many people close to him as well a good billion of Indians and all of their generations to come.

Franz Andrini - Former brother in law and author of “Slimmer in 60 days” and “Yogapedia-The Online Yoga Encyclopedia”

The Raghu I remember

Reliance, in the beginning, used to be a whirlwind of meetings. The ones I loved to attend were the ones presided by Mr Raghu Pillai. It was amazing to watch him watching everyone. His knowing smile and twinkling eyes said it all. If someone would try to spin yarn around any issue, or "give him english", as he called it, his smile seemed to say- You think I was born yesterday!

Me and my husband, both worked for him at Reliance. When he heard about our engagement, he came to my desk and said- "Congrats Mona, good catch!"Then he just winked and left. I was so stunned to say anything that time, but now this small incident always makes me laugh.

That's the Raghu I remember. Always smiling, always ready with a witty comment and always there to cut through the nonsense.

Mona Bhageria Adurty worked with Mr Raghu Pillai at Reliance Retail and is now Regional Manager, Modern Trade West with Whirlpool of India Ltd.