Oberoi School of Management - OSM

Oberoi School of Management - OSM

Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi was born on 15th August, 1898 in erstwhile undivided Punjab, which is now in Pakistan. He was only six months old when his father died. Success and fortune did not, therefore, come easily to him. Initiative, resourcefulness and hard work, combined with the capability to face and overcome the most overwhelming odds can best characterise this phenomenal entrepreneur.

Mohan Singh completed his primary education in Rawalpindi and moved to Lahore for his Bachelor's Degree. Shortly, thereafter, to flee the ravages of a virulent plague, he went to seek his fortune in Shimla, the summer capital of British India. Arriving penniless, he found a job at a monthly salary of Rs.50, as the Front Desk Clerk at the Cecil Hotel. Today, The Oberoi Group owns the hotel The Oberoi Cecil where the young Mohan Singh found his metier.

The diligence, enthusiasm and intelligence displayed by Mohan Singh impressed Mr. Grove, the manager of the hotel. A quick learner, Mohan Singh did not restrict his efforts to fulfilling the job description of a desk clerk but sought and shouldered additional responsibilities. A few years later, when Mr. Clarke acquired a small hotel he asked Mr. Oberoi to assist him. It was here, at Clarkes Hotel, that Mohan Singh gained firsthand experience in all aspects of operating a hotel.