Smart People: Mihir Vora

Out of this, the equity fund, which Vora is to manage, constitutes about Rs 400 crore. It is the right time to ask him about his likes and dislikes as someone who can make a difference to the market. He wouldn't elaborate on sectors and stocks, but gave us some cryptic clues.

Vora points to sectors related to global recovery (IT and commodities) for the short-term. For the medium-term, he is bullish on capital goods and engineering and for the long-term, segments driven by domestic consumption and exports. Any guesses what the Rs 400 crore kitty will buy?

Vora's tryst with the fund industry started 10 years ago when he joined SBI Mutual Fund. He switched over to Prudential ICICI in 2000 and to ABN Amro in 2004.

What got him to ABN Amro, one wonders? "It's the challenge of being in a start-up," he quips. His investment philosophy remains simple - buy growth at reasonable price but only after you are convinced about the management. Point noted.

Vora has a degree in mechanical engineering from Baroda University and a management degree from IIM, Lucknow. A fitness freak, he looks forward to jogging down the Worli seaface in the evenings after 10 hours of work everyday. Apart from jogging, Vora does meditation. He follows vipasana regularly and finds time for week-long vipasana courses in Pune.

In his free time (whenever he manages some) you would probably catch him reading the latest thriller. The Da Vinci Code is the latest to grab his attention.

"I have even started reading other books on Holy Grail," he volunteers. Music is another pastime. "It helps me give company to my son," Vora says.

Accompanied by his wife, son and daughter, he often drives to Lonavala - a favourite haunt given its proximity. Given a chance he would wear an explorer's cap and take off to places embedded with history. And we are sure stock markets will give him enough opportunities to explore!