In an interview with Merinews, Subir Bose, managing director of Berger Paints, talks about his life, the Indian paint industry and the company that he leads. We also questioned him regarding the use of lead in Indian paints.
SUBIR BOSE, managing director of Berger paints tells us about how he wanted to be a university teacher but landed up being the leader of Berger paints. He talks about his experiences of life as a husband, as a proud father and the managing director of Berger paints.
How often do you take break from your busy schedule?
My busy life doesn’t allow me much of a break. It’s very rare…like once a year.
How do you spend your leisure time?
Since I am not staying with my sons, I and my wife relish going to the United States and spending quality time with them. We hang out, visit places, go for shopping, etc.
Tell us something about your family – what is your wife doing? Tell us about your children.
My lovely wife Chandrika is a housewife, who enjoys her time reading, she loves to listen to classical music and she sings as well. And I’m a proud father of two sons. The elder, Abhishek, is a doctor. He is also doing his masters in internal medicines from United States and the younger son, Abhinav has joined Microsoft recently after completing masters in computer engineering, from United States. Both stay in the USA.
Since you have two sons staying abroad, do you, at any point of time, feel a void and wish them to be staying with you?
Yes, I do miss them. But like everybody, they also have the right to making their career in whatever field they are interested in. They always wanted to settle down abroad and I supported them. I know they are happy with their lives there and we do meet every year, at least once.
Was being in the field you are at present your only dream?
Ah… Well, no! I wanted to be a teacher in some university and thus, be a part of the academics. I did B Tech in chemical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) and masters in business administration from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A).
But the initial stages of my life created such circumstances that I landed up here. But I am happy for what I am today!
With Indian economy growing in leaps and bounds, how do you see the growth in the paint industry?
The paint industry has been growing by more than 12-13 per cent each year on account of the growth of the Indian economy. Normally the growth of the paint market is about 1.5 times the percent GDP growth. It is expected that the paint market would continue to grow well in the years ahead based on the strong growth of the Indian economy.
What does Berger offer to the Indian customers?
Berger offers to its customers value for money products at the lower end of the market and innovative products like designer finishes illusions and Berger weather all guard and rangoli easy clean for discerning customers.
There are studies, which shows that lead is found in paints in India? Is that true?
Indian paint association is working with concerned government departments to set up required guidelines regarding use of lead based compounds in paint formulations.
What is your company doing to provide safe paints to customers?
That’s what I said, Indian paint association is working with concerned government departments to set up required guidelines regarding use of lead based compounds in paint formulations.
Lead is banned in rest of the world. Do you think that the same has been stopped from being used in India?
My answer is the same as above…
Are you a morning person or an evening one?
I am strictly a morning person. I get up at 5:15 am everyday without any stop. And my schedule includes going for a walk, followed by some exercises at home.
What’s your favorite stress-buster?
Listening to music, watching television and indulging in some silent reading.
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