10 Questions: Rajul Bhargava, EO Indore

Article by:

Staff

EO Global

Rajul Bhargava
EO Indore Director of CHL Group of Hospitals
EO member since September 2013

A biomedical engineer committed to improving Indian healthcare, Rajul Bhargava is the director of CHL Group of Hospitals, the first corporate hospital in Central India. Rajul has a passion for hospitals and health IT, as well as adventure sports, racing and rock music.

• If there was a film about your life, what would the opening scene look like?
  “It would start with a view from the top of Tai Mo Shan, one of the steepest hiking trails in Hong Kong, China. My friends and I are climbing to the top to BASE jump, and then I land in my boardroom.”

  
  

• You were a table tennis captain during your undergraduate studies. How does that compare to being the “captain” of a company?
  “Both are equally fun! Leading a small table tennis team and a small business requires patience, good listening skills, consistency and an understanding of your strengths and vision. The key is to keep having fun along the way!”

  
  

• Formula 1 racing is one of your passions— what’s the best race you’ve ever seen?
  “The best worst race was in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, in 2006. After the warm-up lap, all of the cars were forced to retire—except for six—due to tire trouble. I couldn’t believe it— I had traveled all the way to Indiana to see only six cars race! I did, however, get my face painted ‘Ferrari red,’ and was interviewed by local news channels for looking the weirdest.”

  
  

• When you’re not studying for your MBA, are you still going to open-mic nights?
  “Every chance I get! Where else can you captivate an audience in a pub with your awful voice? I only hold the mic for Metallica, Pearl Jam and Audioslave, though.”

  
  

• What event or project are you most looking forward to this year?
  “My sister is getting married in a classic, Indian-style wedding this month, so nothing beats that!”

  
  

• As an avid traveler, what’s the one thing that you hate forgetting to pack?
  “My travel adapter, which I can never find when I’m packing and always find once I return home.”

  
  

• What is something most people would be surprised to learn about you?
  “After years of studying abroad, I chose to come back to my little, booming hometown in Indore. I thought about India every time I traveled, and knew it would be the best place for me to start a business.”

  
  

• Complete this sentence: before I die, I want to ____.
  “Fly a jet! Being an Air Force pilot was my first career choice, so I’ve always wanted to be a pilot.”

  
  

• What’s something that instantly cheers you up after a bad day?
  “Coming home to my Great Dane, Bumsie, who loves selflessly, is always smiling and never lets me leave.”

  
  

• If there was a film about your life, how would the movie end?
  “After handing over the business to my kids and various charities, my life partner and I backpack around the world, cruise in a Ferrari F50 throughout Europe and end up at the last-ever Metallica concert in Florence, Italy!”