At 66, Rohit Chanana, a Forbes India and Fortune India-recognized angel investor, reflects on a remarkable journey shaped by values, gratitude, trust, faith, belief, and a deep commitment to responsible, impact-driven leadership.
This book is not just about professional achievements—it is about the power of relationships, the courage to take risks, and an intrapreneurial, purpose-driven mindset that creates lasting success. Rich with anecdotes, stories, and personal learnings from his experiences and interactions with legendary mentors and gurus, Dil Se Dost offers a deeply personal and transformational perspective on leadership and life.
A Journey Rooted in Resilience, Values & Gratitude
Rohit’s story begins with his parents, who rebuilt their lives post-Partition with little more than a few clothes and an unshakable determination to rise again. Despite very limited resources, they prioritized education, gratitude, self-belief, and faith in a higher power, ensuring their son had the best opportunities possible.
These early life lessons laid the foundation for integrity, discipline, humility, and perseverance, shaping Rohit’s leadership approach—one built on trust, respect, empowerment, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders. Their resilience ignited his curiosity, a win-win philosophy, and an insatiable hunger for growth, themes that remain central to his journey.
A Career Built on Leadership, Trust & Win-Win Partnerships
Over 37 years at Hero, Ranbaxy, and Escorts, Rohit earned deep respect and trust across industries, leading high-impact joint ventures, business realignments, and turnarounds that transformed organizations. His intrapreneurial mindset, purpose-driven leadership, and long-term thinking enabled him to:
Lead transformational business moves, most notably the Hero-Honda realignment—one of India’s most successful Indo-Japanese JVs—without a banker.
Earn the trust of business families, investors, and global stakeholders, navigating complex negotiations with honesty, integrity, and clarity of thought.
Empower and develop leaders, paying forward the trust and empowerment he received from his own mentors.
Integrate corporate excellence with the softer yet essential aspects of leadership, focusing on values, purpose, impact, relationships, and long-term sustainability.
Guided by Legendary Mentors
Throughout his career, Rohit had the privilege of learning from and working closely with some of India’s most respected business leaders, forming deep relationships and being treated as a Dost and Family by them: Late Dr. Parvinder Singh (Ranbaxy) – Witnessing bold, visionary decision-making and the ability to think decades ahead.
Late Shri Brijmohan Ji Munjal & Late Shri O.P. Munjal Ji (Hero Group) – Learning how trust, humility, values, nurturing relationships, and long-term vision create generational success.
Mr. Sunil Munjal (Hero Group) – Mastering the balance between heritage and innovation, and the power of building authentic, lasting networks.
Mr. Arun Maira (Former Member, Planning Commission) – Gaining insights on governance, systems thinking, and the deeper aspects of leadership.
These relationships reinforced his belief that business is not just about transactions—it’s about trust, purpose, and leaving a lasting impact.
Reinventing Success – From Corporate Leader to Angel Investor & Mentor
At 61, Rohit took a bold leap, founding Sarcha Advisors—a venture built with the mindset of a 21-year-old student of psychology, philosophy, and digital technologies, but driven by a higher purpose.
He dedicated himself to mentoring and investing in the next generation of founders and business leaders, shaping the future of entrepreneurship with wisdom drawn from decades of experience.
Having invested in 60 startups, Rohit sees his debut book, Dil Se Dost, as another kind of startup—one with a mission to impact a million lives over the next 8–10 years. He treats this book as a marathon, an effort to promote entrepreneurship, inspire resilience, and repay his Rishi Rin karmic debt by sharing knowledge and paying it forward.
With 600,000 hours of lived experience, Rohit spent 1,000 hours crafting 260 pages of insights, lessons, and practical takeaways, bringing life lessons to readers through powerful stories—a lifetime of wisdom distilled into a guide for meaningful success.
A Blueprint for Meaningful Success
Beyond being a memoir, Part Two of this book presents 30 personal and 30 professional philosophies, some of which are proprietary frameworks, each accompanied by practical takeaways and calls to action. These insights combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, covering:
Personal Mastery – Achieving inner peace, resilience, and a purpose-driven life.
Professional Growth – Navigating leadership, partnerships, and wealth creation with integrity.
Decision-Making & Risk-Taking – Lessons from high-stakes deals, joint ventures, and business turnarounds.
Relationships & Legacy – How true wealth lies not just in financial success but in the impact we leave behind.
Each philosophy is designed not just for reflection, but for action, making it relevant to university students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking personal and professional growth.
A Personal Invitation from the Author
"This book is not just my journey—it’s a guide for yours. Whether you're a student, a corporate leader, an entrepreneur, or simply someone searching for deeper purpose, let’s walk this path together—of gratitude, relationships, and continuous learning."
With deep gratitude to Maa Durga, my parents, my family, my gurus, my teams, my dosts, and my well-wishers, Dil Se Dost is more than a book—it is a mentor, a friend, and a guide.
A testament that true success lies not just in wealth, but in wisdom; not just in achievements, but in relationships; not just in goals, but in giving back and paying it forward.
