What singing was to Narayan Gopal, business is to young Rajendra Khetan. Pooja Shrestha meets the youngest business tycoon. It is often said that what singing was to Narayan Gopal, business is to young Rajendra Khetan. While a teenager, he never dreamt of pursuing a career, unlike his peers. That might have been because his career was already right there in front of him. As he readies himself to step into his father's shoes, he is already the youngest business tycoon in Nepal. The initial catalyst for Khetan's business orientation was his grandfather - the late Bihari Lal Khetan. Credit also goes to his father Mohan Gopal. "Social values and a generations old tradition of juggling income and expenditure. To realize a surplus have been ingrained in me," he says with a business like attitude. Khetan' s family was among 32 families which registered as the first tax payers of Nepal under the Lal Mohar or royal seal of the king. And he is on top of the list in that business family. For him all other activities are secondary. His world essentially revolves around his business empire. Mutual Trading, Gorkha Brewery, Everest Insurance, Himalayan Bank, Himalayan Snax and Noodles, Laxmi Bank - you name it, and Khetan is involved. He is also Honorary Consul of Portugal, Second vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) and President of Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI). Apart from business, he is member of the Kathmandu University (KU) Senate. Explains Khetan scraping capsicum from his vegetable pizza: "I joined business when I was doing my bachelor's in commerce with a keen interest in banking, insurance, the service sector and advocacy and lobbying over problems in the private sector." Though a lot of what he has to say has been quoted before and come to light in media exposure, he continues to be hounded by media looking for a quick sound byte or its equivalent in print. Rajendra Khetan has stirred much controversy. But ask him about it and he denies most of it. Like the allegations that he illegally stashed away 120 million rupees in foreign banks and has been giving money to the Maoists. "Ours is one among the families which have social values in terms of promoting the industrialization of the country," he retorts. "I haven't taken so much of a loan from the commercial banks because of which I will be in a difficult situation tomorrow." About donations, he adds, "More than the Maobadies, I've paid the Khaobadies at the factory and in politics." He confides and gives the example of the Life Insurance Company. When he applied for the license, he was asked for a lot of money, so he immediately dropped the idea. Being outspoken in business matters has lead to the controversies, he says. Like the comment made before the Public Account Committee that if 20 people paid back loans to Nepal Bank Limited and Rastriya Banijya Bank, these banks would not be in such deep trouble. When not busy with business ventures, he ventures into places like Chitwan and Pokhara or his hometown Birgunj, or even Thailand and Europe when it comes to looking abroad for the pleasures of life. Often seen at hotels like Dwarika's, Soaltee or Radisson which give him ample time to gobble up the variety of foods as well as engage in public relations. These outings are also a chance to be with his wife and daughter. Apart from eating out, he also shops out - out of Nepal and never within. He hates watching movies. "I have almost 130 corresponding friends in media," he says glancing at his mobile which has multiple functions like e-mail, internet and fax. Though a Marwadi, he knows 50 percent of Newari as most of his friends are Newar. Babloo as he is often called at home hasn't just inherited his forefather's name, but also profound sense of responsibility as the eldest son of the family and especially after getting married at the age of 21. Having grown up around Indrachowk, Rajendra Khetan and his work are very much rooted in that neighborhood. Today, he lives in a conservative Marwadi joint family - parents, two married brothers, wife - Sarika and five year old daughter - Sneha where the food is vegetarian and alcohol forbidden. With strong grounding at Adarsha Vidya Mandir (AVM), he moved to People's Campus but soon discontinued college to take up the family business. "After being punished by the headmaster, Satya Narayan Sir, I learnt a lot through my mistakes," says the portly tycoon with a smile and a sip of diet coke. As he goes down memory lane, he remembers his mischievous habit of running away from school with friends to go to the zoo or bringing along water balloons during holi, both of which made his teacher slap him. So, what are some of the secrets of his business? One after another he points them out. Income line at entry should be positive and the bottom line should not be negative. Always have a second or third opinion when trying to make a decision and get the genuine decision. Be compatible with the latest changes from corporate to IT. If you have clever ideas and plans to generate more money that in business parlance is honesty. With calm conviction, he says he wants to switch to national politics. "I can give the country much more reform as Man Mohan Singh, former Finance Minister of India would have thought in India. The country can recover from the Maoists and the unemployment problem from only one angel i.e. industrialization, generating employment and revenue." His day revolves around business and a close knit family while his eyes focus on a dream Financial House at Hattisar, his dream project.