It was, indeed, a propitious intervention of fate. Dilip Kumar Datta was shepherded into the fold of the Company much before Mani Group had been birthed! Today, as the oldest member of the Mani Parivaar, he has many interesting stories up his sleeves.
“I had joined Mr Jhunjhunwala to supervise the Architecture Department in 1986-87, when he was planning to get into his first major project,” Dilip Datta remembers. “The company was called Teage Ltd at that time and it was known for building apartments that went up to a maximum of 11 floors. The new project at the Taratalla crossing that we know today as Mani Towers was certainly an ambitious venture. It was planned to be a modern highrise that would soar into the sky with two towers. But some problems were stalling work. That is when I came into the picture and took charge of the entire drawing work of Mani Tower single-handedly and was able to help sort out the snag. My joy of working with Mr Jhunjhunwala doubled when I came to know him better. I discovered that he was not only a perfectionist but also a leader with a sharp mind. He was instrumental in challenging me to give of my best.”
Today, Dilip Datta has made a great contribution to Mani Group’s growth. It was under him that other architects began their careers and the department was licked into shape. “We have learnt not to make any compromises with our work because our boss is himself a stickler for ensuring that we cannot cut corners. He has the welfare of all his staff members in mind and this is what gives my colleagues the impetus to try and excel. It seems as if I had come to work here only yesterday!”
“My joy of working with Mr Jhunjhunwala doubled when I came to know him better. I discovered that he was not only a perfectionist but also a leader with a sharp mind.”