Success Through Failure

INSIGHTS OF THE WISE Looking back, Oberoi recalled that this was a moment of deep anxiety. He realized that with such limited qualifications, he could not secure a job: “This was a moment of anxiety in my life as I realised that my qualifications would not get me a job.” Excluded from government employment, he turned to business. In 1924, he started in a small role at a hotel. By 1939, when World War II began, he had already opened his own hotel in Calcutta. From that point, his ventures continued to grow steadily. Over time, Oberoi built a hotel empire. Today, hotels bearing his name are present in almost every major Indian city and many abroad—in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Gulf, Egypt, and Africa. Denied a spot in one field, he made an even greater impact in another. One of the biggest secrets of success is that real achievement goes to those who can get up again after falling. If you don’t find an opportunity in one field, start working in another that allows you to fulfill the hopes you had for the first. Dr. Salim Ali (1896–1987) achieved remarkable distinction in the field of ornithology. India awarded him the Padma Bhushan. Britain presented him with a Gold Medal. Holland honoured him with the Golden Ark. The World Wildlife Fund gave him a prize of $50,000. Three Indian universities awarded him honourary doctorates. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha, among many other honours.