Hari Harilela
The chairman of the Harilela Group up until June this year, Hari Harilela is a businessman, philanthropist and the patriarch of the prominent Harilela family. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday, he shares his thoughts and wisdom with Andrea Lo.
I was 7 years old when I came to China to join my father, who [originally] came from India. For two years, it was wonderful. Then he lost all his money because of the US recession.
But I remember my father always said that poverty at a young age is a blessing—if [it happens] in old age, you can’t bear it. So he said to be grateful for everything, even the little things. His two mantras were “Don’t be greedy” and “Don’t cheat.” He said greed has no end. The more you have, the more you want. I learned that lesson all my life.
Of course, in business, we like to grow, but I don’t believe in greed. Once you become greedy, everything disappears. The first thing you lose is your family, then your friends, and then you lose yourself. In the end, nobody comes near you. You will have all the money in the world, but your family and friends will have abandoned you.
Money can divide families. Every family in the world has a black sheep who can’t make two ends meet. But if you give some of your money to them, the family remains united.
If I have 10 dollars and somebody wants two, I’m not going to be poor [if I give it], but that two dollars will keep him together.
Is money more important, or is unity more important? When we were poor and struggling, our parents looked after us. They would not eat, but they would feed their children. A lot of people today don’t think family is important, but it is. It’s a strength that gives a lot of moral support.