Out of Africa

In a week that saw a debate over the term of independent directors, Bharti’s Sunil Mittal set a precedent – at least for an Indian corporation – by flying the entire board of Bharti Airtel to Africa for a board meeting and to see the operations of new acquisition Zain at first hand. And when you are in Nairobi (Kenya) then you have to throw in a safari. Call it perfect timing too; with revenues from Africa inching towards a billion-dollar mark, one would guess everybody came back satisfied. As for Mittal, he was at his jet-setting best. He flew out with his board immediately after the meeting with the finance minister and other corporate chiefs.