Nanu Enterprises as a business group is synonymous with thecity of Margao.
With its base in Margao, Salcete Nanu Enterprises haveestablished itself as manufacturers and service providers of electrical controlpanels. As a group of companies it has diversified into areas of real estate,hotels, ceramics, farming and more.
Few know that Nanus have had a humble beginning sevendecades ago when the foundation of the business was laid by Crisna Nanu Naikalias Bhau way back in 1938.
At 90 Bhau is still going strong.
“I celebrated my 89th birthday on March 20 and my businesswould celebrate platinum jubilee next year,” Bhau declares with a sense ofpride.
His business enterprise had a humble beginning. He startedoff with a small grocery shop at Betalbhatim at a tender age of 15.
“I sold coconuts at the shop then which gave me monthlyearnings of Rs 500 to 800,” recalls Bhau who is the Director of the Nanus groupof companies that registers Rs 100 crore turnover annually.
Bhau religiously maintains his work schedule form 9 am to 5in the evening. Besides regularly attending his office in Margao, he visits hisorganic farm at Rivona twice a week.
“I do pranayama every morning at 6 am. That’s the secret ofmy sound health,” he smiles.
As the Director of the group he is at the helm of affairseven today and works shoulder to shoulder with his three sons and threegrandsons in Margao.
Recalling his past Bhau shares: “Those days were hard butpeople were friendly and co-operative. As a fond remembrance of those days wehad kept our first shop running in Betalbatim till three years ago”.
Fluent in English, Portuguese, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani,Bhau had knack for business and never looked back.
In 1958 he diversified into wholesale business asimporter-exporter in general merchandise in Margao.
Gradually Bhau’s three sons “ Pravas, Narayan and Sandeshjoined hands with him in 1972 and the group diversified.
Today the groups comprises of Nanutel (Margao), Nanu Resort(Betalbatim), Nanu Estates Pvt Ltd, Nanu Farms (Rivona) and Nanu Engineeringthat manufactures electrical control panels, switch boards and pump sets.
Nanu Pharma Research and Development Centre (NPRDC) is thegroup’s new foray in pharma business. It is equipped with most sophisticatedinstruments necessary for the modern organic chemistry laboratory.
Nanu Farms is the ancestral property of 75 acres where Bhauhas developed plantations “ bananas, nuts, spices, coconuts and fruits aregrown organically here.
From all the hard work Bhau makes it a point not to miss hisevening walks with friends Maruti, Govind, Trivikram and Purushottam at theFatorda ground.
“We are all of the same age group, around 90 and share goodold memories and a hearty chat. That keeps me cheerful,” says Bhau, who isproud of his sons who are engineers and grandsons MBAs.
“I have 10 great grandchildren and ours is a close knitfamily. My sons may live in separate homes but our business is joint. We firmlybelieve that sky is the limit if there is unity in the business families,” Bhauphilosophises.
“Working together is best for expansion prospects withdivision of responsibilities. Diversification becomes easy too. Each member cancontribute according to his calibre and capacity. Having regular meetings andadopting transparent attitude goes a long way,” said Bhau’s eldest son Pravas.
