I am a master in India

Chapter 410 Sunshine Smart City
"New Delhi is a good place. I've heard that a few of you are planning to open company branches here?"

“Computers are the future, and New Delhi is bound to go international. We are just preparing in advance,” Satyam’s Raju shrugged.

“That’s right, IT-based office systems are a major trend. The US has been doing it for a long time, and it’s unstoppable,” Infosys’ Nilekani nodded.

As the capital of India and one of the country's major cities, how could it lack the information technology industry?

Just for policy support and possible lobbying, they need a decent office in New Delhi.

Actually, these companies have offices here, but they're all rented. Just a few offices, and they're incredibly shabby.

As the new millennium drew near, a computer craze began to sweep the globe, and software giants in Bangalore and Hyderabad were eager to get started.

This year also coincides with the national elections, so they flocked to New Delhi to prepare for the next phase of expansion.

“I have a project here that’s perfect for an emerging industry like computers. Why don’t you all take a look?” Ron pulled out a project proposal that he had already prepared.

The group took the book, flipped through a few pages, and were immediately struck by its extravagant scale.

“Sunshine Smart City, 350 acres?” Wipro CEO Premji exclaimed.

"This will be India's, no, the entire Asia's, largest, most advanced, and most luxurious digital business district. It is India's Silicon Valley, unparalleled!"

Ron directly compared his project to Silicon Valley, which was obviously boasting, but it sounded inspiring.

Barnat's winning philosophy emphasizes a love of grandstanding and success.

The broader the scope, the more mainstream it becomes.

Raju and his group were indeed drawn to the project; regardless of its actual effectiveness, the 350 acres of land were a tangible fact.

The fact that they were able to acquire such a large plot of land, even in a place like Delhi, speaks volumes about the scale of the project.

They can't spend hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire land and then just shoddy it out; that would be such a waste.

“A smart city? What’s that concept?” asked Infosys’ Nilekani.

"What I want to create is a new type of urban space that is information-based and digitalized, and can efficiently allocate resources."

The group was taken aback by the title and listened in a daze.

They're computer and internet professionals, but they ended up acting like laymen, not really understanding what they were talking about.

Well, the flavor is just right.

Smart cities, digital business districts
Oh dear, these are words that should be spoken by them!

“Let me give you a simple example,” Ron began to bluff.

He talked at length about the concept of smart cities, how traffic lights, streetlights, parking lots, hospitals, and schools are all controlled through the network, executing commands precisely and efficiently.

There are also digital business districts, which fully integrate the internet into retail, catering, and service sectors, allowing users to complete shopping or book hotels entirely on their computers.

"Oh, you mean you can shop online and book hotels?" The Infosys representative was very surprised.

"Of course, Sunshine Smart City will build the world's most advanced fiber optic communication system, so that people working here can book services directly through the local area network, including taxis in the early hours of the morning."

Ron knew that these software companies had a lot of outsourcing business, and they were dealing with the United States across the ocean.

This results in many engineers or customer service staff often working until 2 or 3 a.m. before they can leave work.

Getting a taxi was a problem back then, but Ron had come up with a solution for them.

Suer Real Estate could contact a taxi company, or they could do it themselves.

In short, drivers can be booked in advance through the Sunshine Smart City network. They can handle everything from their offices without leaving home.

Other establishments, such as hotels and shopping malls, operate on a similar basis.

Of course, this is experimental in nature, and the reservation service is only available on a local area network in Delhi.

“Wow! This idea is incredibly forward-thinking!” exclaimed the Satyamite people.

“This is another internet project I’m thinking of starting,” Ron nodded.

"The Internet?" The group was somewhat surprised.

"That's right, I can't handle software, but websites are much simpler."

What website?

"I call the website that provides hotel and travel booking services specifically for travelers 'Tuyue.com'."

Simply put, it's a website similar to Ctrip, offering various localized services such as hotels, restaurants, and tour guides.

He owns a travel information company, and is also building five-star hotels, various apartments, and shopping malls, so it's only natural for him to create this kind of website.

Moreover, it is conducive to resource integration and fully mobilizes various businesses in the industrial chain.

As for India's internet penetration rate, let's not even mention it.

So Ron plans to start with pilot programs in big cities like Mumbai and Delhi, beginning with local area networks.

Once we have gained experience, we will expand it internationally, primarily targeting foreign tourists visiting India.

"A brilliant idea!" The others exclaimed, their eyes lighting up.

"I've already started looking for someone to design the website, and it will launch around the same time as the Sunshine Smart City project. What do you guys think? Is this kind of business district suitable for your software company to set up shop here?"

“That sounds really good,” an Infosys representative was the first to comment.

"Would we get a discount if we put our Delhi branch here?" Wipro asked.

"Of course, you are the first batch of owners, so I will give you a very favorable price. I am also extending invitations to large foreign companies, such as Google and IBM, so that this place can become the Internet hub of New Delhi."

Ron's ultimate goal is not the software industry or the internet, but Suer Real Estate.

Such a large commercial district wouldn't function without well-known companies. Their employees are the main consumers, and their presence also creates a brand effect.

Once a brand is established, a business clustering effect will be created, attracting small and medium-sized brands to flock to it. Developing software and the internet sounds good, but it's not suitable for India right now.

Ron didn't have any connections or business empire on the other side of the ocean, so he stopped trying to get involved in that kind of thing in recent years.

Moreover, the IT industry in India earns hard-earned money, mostly through outsourcing and working like beasts of burden.

Nothing beats being a landlord! He builds office buildings, apartments, and shopping malls, and these companies just need to move in.

It's not that Ron is underestimating them, but India's IT giants don't yet have the guts to build their own headquarters in Delhi.

Their office in Bangalore is only so big, let alone in Delhi.

Ron assumed all the risks of hardware investment, and once the office buildings were completed, they could choose any one of them as their Delhi headquarters.

This is a great opportunity with absolutely no pressure; the only thing to consider is the location.

Looking at the planning document again, it's located in the southern suburbs of New Delhi, near Indira Gandhi Airport, even closer than Gurgaon.

The group was very interested; they had recently looked at some places, but they were either too old or too small.

Sunshine Smart City is a new project with a large area, and it is also very suitable for the clustering of the IT industry.

“Mr. Suer, I need to go back for a meeting and then get back to you as soon as possible,” said Raju of Satyam.

"Okay, but be mindful of the time. I've already made appointments with people from Google and IBM, and I'm not responsible if the good spots are already taken."

“Of course.” Raju nodded repeatedly.

Satyam's headquarters are still in South India, in a city frequented by pastoralists.

They had long wanted to open a branch in New Delhi, which would be a good way to balance their religious influence.

The other two gave similar responses, but the Infosys representative added an extra comment.

“Mr. Sur, why not consider doing this project in Bangalore? That’s India’s IT hub.”

“In fact, I have already been communicating with the local government, and if all goes well, it will be finalized this year.”

"Is this a chain-store business plan?"

"Yes, Suer Real Estate is serious about urban development."

The group was numb; what could they say?

As expected of Mr. Suer, all of these are grand gestures.

He could easily spend over a billion dollars just by doing a few things in a few places. How much money does he actually have?

The four people, including the middleman Valma, couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

This understated approach seems to be no less impressive than that of the Ambani family.

As expected, in India, monopolistic traditional industries are still more profitable, even surpassing IT.

The internet merely provides them with another way to become rich; it doesn't mean they can bypass the competition.

Ron leisurely sipped his whiskey, completely unperturbed, knowing they would agree.

It's just a matter of choosing a property; why not choose the newest and best one?

Once we've secured deals with them, it'll be easier to negotiate with the other shopping mall brands.

With these things settled, Sunshine Smart City Project of Suer Real Estate is more than halfway to success.

The same procedure was followed in Mumbai, only on a much smaller scale.

“Mr. Sull, please feel free to contact me if you need yacht services in the future,” Varma said respectfully.

“I have no interest in your ‘world’ trip; I’m more interested in the yacht,” Ron chuckled as he stood up.

Walma stared blankly at his retreating figure; this was a $50 deal.

In February and March, the new national elections were being held in full swing.

The BJP has been particularly active this time, frequently summoning politicians from various parties.

Not to mention a big businessman like Ron, Wapajai personally received him.

As a major sponsor of the Indian Party since 95, Ron didn't hold back this time either, signing several checks.

The long string of numbers above made even a sage gasp for breath.

Only at this point will the allure of money in politics be truly revealed.

State elections are already very expensive, and national elections are even more so.

Without the support of reliable big businessmen, even setting up polling stations is impossible.

Ron's support for the BJP this time is in the hundreds of millions, making it the largest in India.

Of course, all of this came at a cost; he reached a series of verbal agreements with senior members of the BJP.

A large portion of these state-owned assets will be realized after the transfer of power.

A large portion of the BJP's campaign funds were raised in this way.

However, as the election reached its climax, Ron returned to Mumbai first.

He had things to take care of, and first of all, Kaviya took the children back to Mumbai.

Six months have passed, the child is growing up healthily, and she misses Ron very much.

In addition, Suer Electric Appliances is also making big moves, especially according to news from Huazi.

(End of this chapter)