Hari Naroomal Harilela GBM GBS OBE JP (10 August 1922 – 29 December
2014) was a Hong Kong based Sindhi businessman, hotelier and philanthropist and the
founder and chairman of the Harilela Group. The group runs businesses ranging
from hotel and real estate investment to import and export trading. He was
often dubbed the richest Sindhi in Hong Kong.
Background
Hari Harilela was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, British India in 1922.
His father was Naroomal Lilaram Mirchandani was the first of the family to
venture to Hong Kong and Canton in search of his fortune and opened an antique
shop there. Later, on receiving the news that his mother was very ill in Sindh,
he rushed to India and was devastated to learn that his mother had just died
upon his return. His family, without waiting for him, had already cremated her.
Deeply hurt, he renounced the family name of Mirchandani and created his own
surname by joining the names of his parents, Haribai and Lilaram. Thus was born
the name Harilela.
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Dr. Harilela with his mother Haribai, Father Lilaram and Brothers |
Harilela moved to Canton with his mother and two brothers in 1930
to join his father, at the time his father owned various buildings and homes
throughout China until repercussions of the Great Depression greatly damaged
his business. The family once again found financial success selling fair-priced
and high quality textile products to British soldiers during the Second WorldWar.
Harilela moved to Canton with his mother and two brothers in 1930
to join his father, at the time his father owned various buildings and homes
throughout China until repercussions of the Great Depression greatly damaged
his business. The family once again found financial success selling fair-priced
and high quality textile products to British soldiers during the Second World
War.
Business career
Harilela began a tailoring business in Hong Kong, opening a
clothing and tailoring shop and then pioneered the idea of supplying
custom-made suits by mail order. During his early life, he would act as
mediator to settle disputes between Indian families. In 1959, Harilela
realised the mail order boom is a temporary phase. So he diversified into real
estate and moved into the hotel business, starting the Harilela Group with his
brothers George and Peter in 1959.
By 2014, the group owns 19 major hotels in Hong Kong, including the
Holiday Inn Golden Mile and the Intercontinental Grand Stanford, both in
Kowloon, as well as various others across Asia, two in Canada and one in
London. The Harilela Group of hotels in the Asia-Pacific region includes
properties in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Penang, Bangkok and Sydney.
In 2012, Harilela stepped down as chairman but remained the
honorary chairman until his death. Harilela's son Aron replaced him as the
group's chairman.
Public services
Harilela was highly regarded in the local Indian community. He had
a great voice in the government on numerous ethnic minority issues and colonial
governors and chief executives consulted Harilela. Harilela was also close
friends with two former Chief Executives, Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang
Yam-kuen.
He was appointed member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Consultative
Committee in 1985 and later appointed Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the
Government of the People's Republic of China in the 1990s. He was the Honorary
Consul of Niger in Hong Kong until 2012.
He was member of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, the most
influential business chamber in the territory, Through the chamber he was
elected the Hong Kong SAR Election Committee from 1996 to 2006 for the
Commercial (First) sector, which was responsible for electing the Chief
Executive of Hong Kong. He was also adviser of the Business and Professionals
Federation of Hong Kong.
Harilela was also a Life Regent at Pepperdine University in the
United States, and was an Honorary Court Member of the Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology.
Philanthropy
The Padma & Hari Harilela Lecture Theatres, with seating
capacities of 250 and 150 respectively, were named in honour of the Harilelas
in recognition of a HK$5 million donation to the Hong Kong Baptist University.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology receives HK$5M
donation from Dr Hari N Harilela to Enhance Teaching & Research Excellence.
The lecture hall C (LT-C) was named "The Padma & Hari Harilela Lecture
Theatres" in honour of the donation.
Family and personal life
Harilela was the patriarch of the Harilela family with about 80
members. The family lives in a 40-bedroom mansion in Kowloon Tong, with the
next generation living in a connecting house.
Harilela died early morning on 29 December 2014 at his Kowloon Tong
home surrounded by family at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife
Padma, son Aron, daughters Nina, Anita and Shakun. More than 100 members of his
extended family, including his two surviving brothers and one sister live in
the Kowloon Tong mansion.
Family:
Spouse: Padma Harilela (m. 1951–2014)
Parent(s): Naroomal Lilaram Harilela (deceased); Devibai Harilela
(deceased)
Siblings: Peter Harilela, Bob Harilela, Gary Harilela, Mohan
Harilela, George Harilela, Rani Harilela
Children: Aron Hari Harilela, Nina Harilela, Shakun Harilela,
Sheila Harilela, Anita Hariela, Maya Harilela
Wikipedia,