Top Drawer

Poised and self-assured in her Raheja Chambers office at Nariman Point 61-year-old Perveez Aggarwal finally has the time to reminisce about the long-winding road from being known as the daughter of R S Rustamji 8212; a famous lawyer of his time 8212; to the chair of managing director of the DBS Group of Companies. Born and raised in Nagpur, Aggarwal graduated from Nagpur University and started working as a reporter for The Hitavada, one of the first English dailies of India. She then worked for a travel agency till she married Shamsunder Aggarwal, who had just started his career with the Devidayal family business, pioneers of the non-ferrous metal industry in India. In 1978, the duo decided to explore other avenues and ventured into Diners Club India Pvt Ltd, a time when the going was tough for Diners8217; services. Comprehensive office service was not even known then. The concept gradually developed in six major cities. Last week, as part of the image, Perveez Aggarwal renovated a 35-room heritage building next to theBombay Gymkhana squash court. Today, the company has it8217;s hands in equity stock trading, travel and internet services. Bearing in mind that office atmosphere plays an important role in productivity, Perveez has made it a point to make all DBS centres plush. quot;For, this will also reflect the client8217;s personality,quot; she says.

As Aggarwal spends most of her working hours in office, she loves to be surrounded by beauty. quot;Otherwise it will look like a woman without jewellery.quot; While right behind her is a showcase with family collection of Chinese porcelain, 10 antique maps of India adorn the walls of her cabin. quot;Twelve years ago, while decorating our Delhi branch, I bought them for Rs 20,000.quot; In fact, the entire office is dotted with works of art. There8217;s one on the cover of every issue of the office newsletter. What8217;s interesting is that this entrepreneur has a glamorous side too 8212; a shelf of her desk has an array of ten nail enamels. quot;Well, I love to look prim and proper.quot;

8212; Meeta Bhatti