Bangalore is known all over the country as the city of pubs. And tourists flock here as much to enjoy the many pubs that dot the city as for the beauty of Bangalore. And much of the credit has to go to the UB Group for ensuring that the frothy gold colored liquid flows unhindered.

As chairman of the UB Group, Vijay Mallya is a colorful character himself. As intoxicating and heady as some of the liquor that his company produces… However, the best kept secret is that his group is involved in a wide variety of fields apart from producing liquor. But, because liquor is among the most successful brands of his group, it is but natural that he is associated with alcohol.

Like all beginnings of successful men, Mallya’s too was not spectacular. In fact, he did not have much of a choice. Faced with a company started by his father, Mallaya had no alternative but to take over. Being an only child, his options were definitely limited. From there started the enormous saga of UB.

However, it is wrong to assume that liquor is all that interests Mallya. His interest in race horses is legendary and he is the proud owner of a string of winners. This interest is only rivaled by his passion for race cars. In fact, he has admitted many times, albeit more in jest, that, “All fast things hold an interest for me”.

In fact, pundits insist that one could say without the fear of being contradicted that Indian racing would not have been what it is today but for the colorful presence of Vijay Mallya. He brought glamour, glitz, style, and fashion into the sport. At a time when sponsorship of the sport was cause for frustration to the authorities, he came to their rescue by his generous sponsorship through the UB Group. He kept expanding the scale of support every year.

It is said that Mallya owns the best of the thoroughbreds that has enabled him to set records which would be hard to beat. With his horses always running true to their potential, he brought a clean image to the Sport of Kings, which was increasingly suffering due to the tendency of owners to go in for coups. “The race going public has immense faith in my horses and me. My horses always run true to potential and I have had a clean image which is what makes me proud,’’ says the racing baron.

But that apart, the UB Group has demonstrated that it recognizes its social obligations and has never flinched from acting on those obligations. A state of the art hospital and a school which follows non-formal mode of teaching are but just two of the initiatives that he has helped start. Science and technology have also got a boost with the Mallya Research Foundation, which lays stress on research and development.

Among the biggest events on the Bangalorean socialite’s calendar is the UB fashion show which combines the slick and suave with the weird and wacko. But the underlying theme is fun and Mallya ensures that all his guests have plenty of it.

And if all this was not enough, Mallya stepped in another new arena earlier this year. He pulled off a coup of sorts when he managed to enter the Rajya Sabha with the support of the ‘Janata Parivar’, by no means his first attempt in entering politics, Mallya nevertheless depicted his intent but constantly focusing on the fact that he wants to be part of the decision and law making process of the country.

With business in India, Middle East and the USA, it is a delicate balancing act that Mallya does to ensure that everything runs on well oiled wheels. Like he is fond of saying, “Everything runs smoothly because I have learned to delegate, but I have also always led from the front.’’ But wherever he is, Bangalore is always on his mind. “It is becoming congested like Bombay and the Government should do something about it. It was for this reason that we wanted to invest in mass transit systems,’’ he has said.

And what would he want to be known as? Mallya is very clear about that. “As an industrialist, my main agenda is to be known as one who cared about people and society while being financially successful. I do not wish to be known as a ruthless money maker at any cost.”

Well Mr. Mallya, Bangaloreans will certainly know you as that, and so too perhaps the country and the rest of the world.