In success stories, stories of resilience and tenacity often stand out, and Puthan Naduvakkatt Chenthamaraksha Menon’s career is proof of the triumph of determination over adversity. Menon was born in Palghat, Kerala, and had financial difficulties early in his life after his father, a farmer, died. With only Rs 50, he embarked on a journey that eventually made him build a real estate empire worth over Rs 14,000 crore.
For Menon, the fight began at the age of ten, when his father died and left the family with challenges behind. With a grandfather who was illiterate and an often sick mother, Menon’s path to education was full of difficulties. Despite his serious efforts, he had to stop his studies after completing primary school, and repeated attempts to complete his B.com studies were unsuccessful. The turning point in Menon’s life came in the 1990s when he recognised the growing potential of the construction and real estate industry.
In 1995, he founded Sobha Developers (now called Sobha Limited), now the largest real estate company in India. In addition, Menon Sobha owns Realty and manages the company’s activities in the Middle East. His design expertise is shown in iconic buildings such as the Sultan Qabus Mosque and the Al Bustan Palace in Oman. Menon’s remarkable career earned him recognition, and the Indian president awarded him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Puraskar in 2009. Sobha Limited has a market capitalisation of Rs 14,100 crore, thus solidifying its status as one of the leading unlisted real estate companies in the Gulf.
The story takes a fascinating turn when Menon, with only fifty rupees in his pocket, decides to accept an invitation to work in Oman. He mastered the challenge of being in a foreign city, secured a loan of Rs 3.5 Lakh and ventured into the field of interior design. Menon’s impeccable work soon gained widespread recognition, which led to larger projects and opportunities. A remarkable achievement in his portfolio is the design of the residence of the Sultan of Brunei, which demonstrates Menon’s skill as an architect. In particular, he worked as a consultant for the Bangalore Infosys Campus under the direction of Narayana Murthy. Although he does not have a formal degree in interior design, Menon’s reputation as a renowned architect extends to the United Arab Emirates.
Despite initial hurdles, Menon expanded his business to the Arab countries and founded Sobha Limited in India, which operates in twelve states. His journey from Rs 50 to a multi-million-dollar empire is an inspiring testimony to the power of determination and vision in the face of adversity.
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