->SamuraiElephant at 13:45, 6 September 2021

2021-09-06T13:45:29Z

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{{Short description|Singaporean billionaire}}{{DISPLAYTITLE:Bhupendra Kumar Modi }}
{{multiple issues|
{{COI|date=June 2018}}
{{POV|date=June 2018}}
{{advert|date=June 2018}}
{{fanpov|date=June 2018}}
{{lead rewrite|date=June 2018}}
{{tone|date=June 2018}}
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{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bhupendra Kumar Modi (Dr. M)
| image = Dr.Bhupendra-Kumar-Modi.jpg
| alt = 
| caption =
| birth_name = 
| birth_date = 
| birth_place = 02 January 1949 (age 72) Modinagar, India
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| nationality = Singaporean
| alma_mater = Indian Institute of Technology(IIT-BHU) and University of Southern California
| occupation = Founder Chairman: Smart Group
Founder Chairman: Global Citizen Forum
Honorary President: World Federation of United Nations Associations
Global Chairman: Foreign Investors India Forum
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| net_worth = $645 million <small>(as of 2017)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/bhupendra-kumar-modi/|title=Bhupendra Kumar Modi|access-date=2016-07-28}}</ref>
| spouse = Veena Modi
| children = 3: Ritika(49), Dilip Modi(47) and Divya(33).
| parents = Gujarmal Modi and Dayawati Modi
| honours = Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2017)
Global Thought Leader for Global Peace Award (2018)
| website = https://dr-m.global/
http://smartgroup.com/
https://globalcitizenforum.co/
}}
'''Dr. M'''<ref name=Renaissance>{{Cite web|title=Dr. M BK Modi Hails a 'Hindu Renaissance' as Sree Padmanabhaswamy Gets Justice After Hard-won Legal Battle|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2020/07/14/pwr8-office-of-dr-m-bk-modi.html|access-date=2021-04-14|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref> (or '''Bhupendra Kumar Modi'''; born 2 January 1949) is an Indian-born Singaporean billionaire business leader,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Billionaire's Bash|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/metrolife/the-billionaires-bash|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}}</ref> ''global wellness crusader'' and ''technopreneur''. He is the founder-chairman of Smart Group of companies,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Index|url=http://smartgroup.com/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=smartgroup.com}}</ref> the founder of Global Citizen Forum and the global chairman of the Foreign Investors India Forum.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bureau|first=BW Online|title=Foreign Investors Forum For Rationalisation Of Tax Norms For Foreign Nationals Living In India|url=http://businessworld.inhttps//www.businessworld.in/article/Foreign-Investors-Forum-For-Rationalisation-Of-Tax-Norms-For-Foreign-Nationals-Living-In-India/02-03-2021-382697|access-date=2021-04-14|website=BW Businessworld|language=en}}</ref> He is also the Honorary President of the [[World Federation of United Nations Associations]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-20|title=Bhupendra Kumar Modi|url=https://wfuna.org/people/bhupendra-kumar-modi|access-date=2021-04-14|website=WFUNA - World Federation of United Nations Associations|language=en}}</ref>

Dr. M is son of [[Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi|Raibahadur Gujarmal Modi]] and [[Dayawati Modi]]. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from the [[Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi|Indian Institute of Technology]] (IIT-BHU) and received an MBA from the [[University of Southern California]]. He has been awarded a PhD. in Financial Management.

Dr. M laid the foundation for his business empire with Modi Xerox - a joint-venture with [[Xerox]]. The venture was the first of many individual collaborations with leading international business partners that earned him the epithet of being the "JV King of India."<ref name=Renaissance/> His ventures revolutionised the fields of office automation and mobility in India. In 1995, Dr. M orchestrated the first mobile call in the country on the Modi-Telstra network,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-07-31|title=20 years of the mobile phone in India: One call that started it all|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-commentary/51120/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Economic Times Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> effectively laying the foundation of a '[[Digital India]]' that we see today.

In June 2008, he exited the telecom business in a landmark deal with [[Idea Cellular]] that became the fourth largest M&A deal involving an Indian entity<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-06-25|title=Idea-Spice deal 4th largest M&A in India|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-idea-spice-deal-4th-largest-ma-in-india-1173516|access-date=2021-04-14|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> at the time.

In 2013, Dr. M was featured in [[Singapore]]'s 50 Richest List by [[Forbes]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bhupendra Kumar Modi|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/bhupendra-kumar-modi/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> In the same year, he dropped use of the name 'Spice' in favour of 'Smart',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=S. Ronendra|title=Spice set to become Smart|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/spice-set-to-become-smart/article23125131.ece|access-date=2021-04-16|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref> signalling a fresh approach to business. He also entered into the socially conscious entertainment as co-producer of [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Paresh Rawal]] starrer, [[OMG – Oh My God!|OMG!]] And producer of the tele-serial '[[Buddha (TV series)|Buddha]]'.

In 2015, Smart Group announced its foray into wellness and healthcare with the aspiration of creating a world class healthcare ecosystem in India and specifically the capital city of [[New Delhi]]. The group's approach to healthcare is based on Dr. M's philosophy of living "Beyond 100<ref>{{Cite news|title=Smart Group to invest Rs 2,000 crore to open wellness city in Delhi|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/smart-group-to-invest-rs-2000-crore-to-open-wellness-city-in-delhi/articleshow/73516657.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-04-14}}</ref>" - that is enjoying happy, healthy, productive and independent life. To execute this, the group has partnered with multiple global wellness leaders including the [[American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine]] (A4M) and Fountain Life amongst others. Dr. M plans to bring home concept of 'Beyond 100' living by developing wellness communities, a virtual wellness platform and preventive healthcare centres.<ref>{{Cite web|title=With Focus On Health, Green Tech, NRI Plans To Invest Billions In India|url=https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/with-focus-on-health-green-tech-nri-bhupendra-kumar-modi-plans-to-invest-billions-in-india-1838184|access-date=2021-04-16|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Dr. M is married to Veena Modi and the couple has three children: eldest daughter, Ritika Rungta (49), son, Dilip Modi (47) and the youngest daughter, Divya(33).

==Career==
In 1975, as a part of Modi Rubber, Dr. M made the first Indo-International technical collaboration in the tyre industry with [[Continental AG|Continental]] (Germany), establishing himself as a business leader with a global outlook. In 1981, Dr. M laid the foundation for his business empire by setting up Graphics India which became the sole distributor of Rank Xerox copiers in India and formed [[Modi Xerox]] as a joint-venture with Xerox, setting up India's first office automation product manufacturing facility in Modipur, [[Rampur, Uttar Pradesh|Rampur]] in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]].

In 1987, Dr. M formed a joint-venture with Olivetti(Italy), Modi Olivetti was the first Indian joint-venture to manufacture advanced PC's and floppy disks. He also entered into a joint venture with [[Alcatel Mobile|Alcatel]] (France) with Alcatel Modi Network Systems in 1992 - the first Indian private sector company to manufacture telecom equipment and export digital switching systems and to set up a GSM network in India.

In 1993, his company Modi Telstra became the first company to launch cellular services in India and received the first Telecom Engineering Commission Certification of Quality. The first ever mobile call in India was placed on the Modi Telstra network by the then Chief Minister of Kolkata, [[Jyoti Basu]] to Sukh Ram, the then Union communications minister, in July 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/51120/ |title=20 years of the mobile phone in India: One call that started it all |website=India Times}}</ref>

Later Dr. M formed Spice Communications, a joint-venture with Telekom-Malaysia (Now: [[Axiata]]) which went on to become the leading telecom operator in Northern and Southern India. In 2000, Dr. M established Cellebrum (now [[Spice Digital]]), India's pioneering mobile value-added services company for telecom operators. In 2004, he founded Spice Hotspot - the first Indian mobile retail chain. Spice Mobiles was one of the earliest producers of Indian-branded handsets in India, famously endorsed by Bollywood A-listers like [[Katrina Kaif]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]].

In 2009, Dr. M acquired a major stake in i2i, a listed company in [[Singapore Exchange|Singapore Stock Exchange]], making it S-i2i<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mitra|first=Sounak|date=2013-07-26|title='Joint Venture Modi' comes back home with eye on globe|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/joint-venture-modi-comes-back-home-with-eye-on-globe-113072500959_1.html|access-date=2021-04-16}}</ref> (now SEVAK LTD.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SEVAK Limited – A Leading Telecom and IT Service Provider|url=https://www.sevaklimited.com/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=www.sevaklimited.com}}</ref>) which is a regional distributor, provider and enabler of info-communication products and services in Singapore and [[Indonesia]].

In 2015, Dr. M announced his foray into wellness and healthcare with the aspiration of creating a world class healthcare ecosystem in India with new forays in preventive healthcare such as the Modi Yoga Retreat<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=Offering mix of ancient science, latest facilities for wellness|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/state-editions/offering-mix-of-ancient-science--latest-facilities-for-wellness.html|access-date=2021-04-14|website=The Pioneer|language=en}}</ref> in [[Rishikesh]] and the Smart Metabolic Anti-Aging centre in New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2018-05-31|title=Dr. BK Modi launches India's first and most innovative Anti-Aging Centre|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/dr-bk-modi-launches-india-s-first-and-most-innovative-anti-aging-centre-118053100990_1.html|access-date=2021-04-14}}</ref>

Dr. M's approach to healthcare is based on his philosophy of living "Beyond 100" - that is enjoying a happy, healthy, productive and independent life. To execute this, his group company, SEVAK LTD. has partnered with Uber to operate a 100% commercially owned electric vehicle fleet <ref>{{Cite news|last=Reporter|first=B. S.|date=2016-03-04|title=B K Modi's company forays into enter electric vehicles|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/b-k-modi-s-company-forays-into-enter-electric-vehicles-116030401191_1.html|access-date=2021-04-14}}</ref> in Singapore. In addition, the group has also built affiliations with multiple global wellness leaders including the 'American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), "Global Wellness Institute" and "Fountain Life" amongst others to bring home concept of 'Beyond 100' living by developing wellness communities, a virtual wellness platform and preventive healthcare centres across India, starting with [[Noida]] (Uttar Pradesh).

===Global Citizen Forum & Foreign Investors India Forum===
A global citizen by thought, Dr. M founded the Global Citizen Forum<ref>{{Cite web|title=GCF|url=https://www.globalcitizenforum.co/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=www.globalcitizenforum.co}}</ref> in January 2013 with an objective of creating "One World Beyond Gender, Religion and Nationality<ref name="Writer">{{Cite web|author=Staff Writer|title=Global Citizenship Forum Holds Gender Equality Event At UN {{!}} News India Times|url=https://www.newsindiatimes.com/global-citizenship-forum-holds-gender-equality-event-at-un/|access-date=2021-04-14|language=en-US}}</ref>". Global Citizen Forum works towards creating a sustainable and integrated world community through its network of progressive 'Global Citizens'. The organisation has held several events across the globe, including in the [[United Nations]] headquarters in [[New York City|New York]]<ref name="Writer"/> which were attended by a wide-ranging audience from business leaders and head os states to ordinary citizens.

Since 2019, Dr. M as Global Chairman of Foreign Investors India Forum(FIIF) has led the call - supported by international affiliates and all leading domestic chambers of commerce - to promote and support economic investment into [[India]] and make India a Global Economic Power,<ref>{{Cite web|last=www.ETHealthworld.com|title=India is a dream opportunity for Overseas Citizens of India investors: Dr B K Modi - ET HealthWorld|url=https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/india-is-a-dream-opportunity-for-overseas-citizens-of-india-investors-dr-b-k-modi/73974644|access-date=2021-04-14|website=ETHealthworld.com|language=en}}</ref> supporting the vision of making India a $5 trillion economy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singal|first=Aastha|date=2019-09-03|title=To Aid the Dream of $5 Trillion Economy, BK Modi Launches Investment Fund for Overseas Citizens of India|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/338991|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Entrepreneur|language=en}}</ref>

=== Filmography ===
;as co-producer
* 2010, [[No Problem (2010 film)|''No Problem'']]: co-produced with [[Rajat Rawail]] and [[Anil Kapoor]]
* 2012, ''[[OMG – Oh My God!]]'':<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Doctor-who-decided-to-co-produce-OMG--/articleshow/16475842.cms?referral=PM |title=Doctor who decided to co-produce OMG... |website=The Times of India}}</ref> co-produced with Vikram Malhotra. It won the 'Best Hindi Film Award' by Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences and 'Best Adapted Screenplay' in 60th [[National Film Awards]].

;as producer

* 2013, [[Buddha (TV series)|Buddha]] is a historical drama based on the life of Buddha that shows how a prince 'Siddhartha', became 'Buddha<ref>{{Cite web|title=Launch of B.K.Modi's Mega TV series Buddha in Mumbai - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/gautam-buddha-buddha-bk-modi/articleshow/22290720.cms|access-date=2021-04-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>', aired on Sunday, 8 September 2013 at 11 am on [[Zee TV|Zee Tv]] and [[Doordarshan]].
* (Upcoming) ''Adi Shankaracharya'', a historical drama based on the life of the Hindu saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who is credited with the revival of Hinduism in the 8th century CE. Serial air date & Broadcast partner - TBD.

=== Books ===
* ''Hinduism The Universal Truth'' (1993)
* ''Performance — A Manager's Challenge'' (1995)
* ''One God'' (2000)
* ''India and Hinduism'' (2002)

==Awards and honours==

* In 1997, Dr. M was appointed as chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India.
* In 2000, Dr. M was appointed as the coordinator for Indian subcontinent for [[Millennium Summit|Millennium World Peace Summit]] by United Nations.
*In 2004, the [[United States House of Representatives|US House of Representatives]] issued a proclamation in appreciation of Dr. M's efforts to promote deeper understanding between the countries and congratulated him on his innovations and humanitarian efforts worldwide
*2009, Dr. M received a special commendation from the then Singapore Minister-Mentor [[Lee Kuan Yew|Lee Kuan Lew]] on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Lee Kuan Institute of Public Policy.
* In 2013, 'Ambassador of Peace Award' conferred by the Universal Peace Foundation.
* In 2015, 'Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award' by [[CNA (TV network)|Channel News Asia]], Singapore.
*In 2017, 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' by Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce.
*In 2018, 'Global Thought Leader for Global Peace Award' by [[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]].
*In 2019, Dr. M was appointed the Honorary President for World Federation of United Nation Associations.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/b-k-modi-buys-51-stake-in-wall-street-finance/20/55/72858/on
* http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/BK_Modis_10_Million_penthouse_hits_headlines_in_Singapore-nid-56641-cid-TNI.html
* http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_telecom-too-big-for-one-ministry-says-bk-modi_1403112
* http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/a-brand-for-himself/431524/
*https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/singapore-applauds-indian-businesses-contribution/1280963
*https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/business-of-brands/a-witness-to-history-remembering-indias-first-mobile-call-25-years-ago/77319209

{{Modi Enterprises}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Modi, B. K.}}
[[Category:Banaras Hindu University alumni]]
[[Category:Marshall School of Business alumni]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Delhi]]
[[Category:People from Modinagar]]
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Modi family]]

Bhupendra Kumar Modi - Revision history

->SamuraiElephant at 13:45, 6 September 2021