Harile
Hari Harilela [1], also transliterated in Chinese as Ha Lei Lai, was the richest Indian-born businessman in Hong Kong during his lifetime. His family, the Harilela family, is one of Hong Kong’s notable families. Harilela was the former chairman of the Harilela Group, which owns the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and operates businesses in the hotel and real estate industries in Hong Kong. He resided at the “green mansion” on Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong.[2]
Biography
Dr. Hari Harilela was a businessman of Indian Sindhi heritage. At the age of 7, he moved to Hong Kong with his family in search of a livelihood. He started out by selling goods outside British military barracks and later secured contracts to supply food and laundry services to the British garrison. He went on to establish tailoring and clothing shops that became very successful. In 1959, he and his brothers founded the Harilela Group, which has since grown into a global business.
Dr. Harilela was actively involved in public service and made significant contributions, particularly in promoting the welfare of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. He was highly respected within the Indian community. As a successful entrepreneur, he made major contributions to the development of Hong Kong’s hotel and real estate industries. Dr. Harilela was also enthusiastic about charity work, actively supporting philanthropic causes in Hong Kong, especially higher education. He established scholarships and, in 2008, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hong Kong Baptist University.[3][4]
Institutions Named After Dr. Harilela
The Po Leung Kuk Dr. Hari Harilela and Mrs. Harilela Integrated Rehabilitation Centre (formerly known as the Kwai Chung Integrated Rehabilitation Centre) began operations in December 2010 and was officially named on March 25, 2014. The center offers residential, comprehensive training, community education, and support services.
Racehorses
Hari Harilela and his son Aron Harilela were both members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Their racehorses included Golden Emperor, Golden Supreme, Treasure, Divine Treasure, Power Treasure, Lucky Treasure, Always Winner, Gold Mile, Real Good, Happy Year, Sacred Torch, Twin Treasure, and others.[5][6][7]
Honors
- Justice of the Peace (1963)
- Gold Bauhinia Star (2000)
- Grand Bauhinia Medal (2009)
Notes
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-1
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-2
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-3
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-4
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-5
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-6
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E5%88%A9%E8%90%8A#cite_ref-7
External References
- Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Hong Kong racehorse owners and breeders
- Hong Kong businesspeople
- Hong Kong philanthropists
- Hong Kong billionaires
- Indian billionaires
- Hong Kong people of Indian descent
- Sindhi people
- Honorary doctorate recipients of Hong Kong Baptist University