The theme of “Financing India’s Growth Story” is apt with India Inc. companies’ global ambitions. Matching and even setting new global standards has become a norm in this quest for global scale. Strong growth story of India coupled with the ever improving business environment makes for a strong organic growth of the Indian companies. On top of this, these companies are looking at the inorganic route more than ever before. The acquisition of foreign companies started off in the IT and related services sector and it has taken off now in other sectors too. The year 2007 has already seen two major foreign acquisitions by Indian companies. The Tata – Corus deal is the largest Indian takeover of a foreign company. Tata Steel will now become the fifth largest manufacturer of steel in India. The Birlas soon followed with another billion dollar deal to acquire Novelis Inc, the largest flat-rolled aluminum maker in the world.

So, an important question to ask is “where will the money for these huge investments come from?” The role of banks, money markets, financial institutions, investment banks, venture capitalists and private equity firms becomes very critical at such a juncture.

It is in this context, that the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay brings forth “Finance Continuum” on the theme “Financing India’s Growth Story”.

The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Shailesh J. Mehta, President, Granite Hill Capital Ventures LLC.
The panel discussion will feature:-
· Mr. Saurabh Singhal, Head Global Markets, Deutsche Bank
· Mr. Sughosh Moharikar, Executive Director and Head of M&A;, Kotak Investment Bank
· Mr. Rajesh M Sharma, Director, Head- Securities Services Sales, Standard Chartered Bank
· Mr. Jayanta Dasgupta, Associate Director, Institutional Sales, HSBC
· Mr. Ramesh Bhat, Professor IIM Ahmedabad

There will be two speeches by:-
· Mr. Vikas Goel, Executive Director, Head of Treasury & Money Markets, Calyon Bank
· Mr. Sanjay Bhandarkar, Managing Director, N M Rothschild & Sons (India)

After mulling over the theme through the panel discussion and speeches, the event will feature Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, an ace investor. He is one investor whose name evokes ambitions, dreams and hopes of making it big in the equity markets through diligence, method, patience and foresight.

The equity markets reflect the economy’s as well as the corporate health. A few years back Mr. Jhunjhunwala had a predicted a target of 12000-15000 for the SENSEX when it was below 6000. Everybody mocked and laughed. But today, we are already there. Now, Morgan Stanley believes SENSEX will touch 50,000 by 2020. Laugh or mock at it at your own peril.

With the equity markets presenting a great opportunity to participate in this growth story with diligent, methodical and visionary investing, here is an opportunity to hear it from the man himself, Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. He will be speaking on his investment methods and philosophy.

Surely, FINANCE CONTINUUM 2007 at SJMSOM-IIT Bombay is big both in terms of its content and context.