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Poised and self-assured in her Raheja Chambers office at Nariman Point 61-year-old Perveez Aggarwal finally has the time to reminisce about the long-winding road from being known as the daughter of R S Rustamji -- a famous lawyer of his time -- to the chair of managing director of the DBS Group of Companies. Born and raised in Nagpur, Aggarwal graduated from Nagpur University and started working as a reporter for The Hitavada, one of the first English dailies of India. She then worked for a travel agency till she married Shamsunder Aggarwal, who had just started his career with the Devidayal family business, pioneers of the non-ferrous metal industry in India. In 1978, the duo decided to explore other avenues and ventured into Diners Club India Pvt Ltd, a time when the going was tough for Diners' services. Comprehensive office service was not even known then. The concept gradually developed in six major cities. Last week, as part of the image, Perveez Aggarwal renovated a 35-room heritage building next to theBombay Gymkhana squash court. Today, the company has it's hands in equity stock trading, travel and internet services. Bearing in mind that office atmosphere plays an important role in productivity, Perveez has made it a point to make all DBS centres plush. "For, this will also reflect the client's personality," she says.

As Aggarwal spends most of her working hours in office, she loves to be surrounded by beauty. "Otherwise it will look like a woman without jewellery." While right behind her is a showcase with family collection of Chinese porcelain, 10 antique maps of India adorn the walls of her cabin. "Twelve years ago, while decorating our Delhi branch, I bought them for Rs 20,000." In fact, the entire office is dotted with works of art. There's one on the cover of every issue of the office newsletter. What's interesting is that this entrepreneur has a glamorous side too -- a shelf of her desk has an array of ten nail enamels. "Well, I love to look prim and proper."

-- Meeta Bhatti

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