People

As the morning light of Kolkata pierces through his curtains, Sidharth Pansari is already awake. His alarm is set for 6:30 AM, but he allows himself a leisurely ten minutes to reflect. "I don't hit snooze," he laughs. "But I do savour those first few moments of the morning."

It's understandable. It's the only time in the day that he will have wholly to himself. Because, for this Harvard Business School alumnus and the youngest president in the history of CREDAI Bengal, once he swings out of bed it's all action.

Breakfast is a quick and simple affair: a nourishing mix of fruits and nuts. "It's all about starting the day on a healthy note," he says. Fitness isn't just a routine for Sidharth; it's a lifestyle. Over the past decade, with intermittent breaks, he's dedicated himself to physical well-being. His gym sessions focus on mobility and strength training, lasting a rigorous 60 minutes.

"Anil Ambani's fitness journey inspired me at one point," he admits. A few years ago, he challenged himself by running a 25km marathon. "My time wasn't impressive," he shrugs modestly. "But it wasn't about the time. It was about overcoming my fears and pushing my boundaries." Pushing boundaries, after all, is something at which Primarc excels.

The Primarc Journey

The story of Primarc is as much about legacy as it is about innovation. It began with Sidharth's father, Mr. Nand Kishore Pansari, now the Chairman Emeritus of Primarc. Starting as a retail partner for Raymond, he quickly turned his outlet at Kolkata's Poddar Court into the highestgrossing store for the textile giant—a position it has impressively held for nearly 30 years.

"In many ways, my father's journey laid the groundwork for what Primarc is today," Sidharth reflects. "He showed us the importance of vision, dedication, and the courage to venture into new territories."

In 1997, the senior Pansari branched into real estate with a pioneering project that marked Primarc's foray into the sector. Fast forward to today, and the company boasts over 25 projects, encompassing 7 million square feet of development and serving 9,000 delighted customers. "We've always aimed to create more than just buildings," Sidharth explains. "It's about crafting spaces that are extraordinary.”

One such flagship project is The Ramdulari, an ultra-luxury project which has garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards. Its remarkable promise of integrating trees into high-rise balconies is not only redefining urban living but also setting new standards for sustainable architecture. "Putting trees in the sky isn't just a design choice; it's a statement about our commitment to green living," he says proudly.

Primarc's innovative spirit doesn't stop there. Their new headquarters, Primarc Square, is turning heads with its forward-thinking design that prioritises sustainability and green principles.

The group's ambitions have also expanded geographically and sectorwise. They built a thriving mall in Durgapur, bringing modern retail experiences to emerging markets, and are currently planning a second mall within a prestigious mixed-development project in Bhopal. "We're excited about Bhopal," Sidharth shares. "It's a city with rich history and immense potential."

In Kolkata, they're constructing a modern office tower and have advanced plans to rapidly expand their interests in commercial spaces. Their hospitality venture, Nishtara, is a stunning new banquet facility that offers breathtaking elegance for occasions and events. "Nishtara is more than a venue; it's an experience," Sidharth says. "We wanted to create a world-class space that brings people together in celebration."

Band of Brothers (And Beyond)

The drive to office offers a brief window of quiet. As his car moves through the traffic, he takes a moment to reflect on Primarc's journey. “For me and my brothers, taking forward our father's legacy is a responsibility we cherish," he says earnestly. "It's about honouring the past while innovating for the future."

Sidharth is the youngest of three brothers, each playing a pivotal role in the group's growth. Mahesh, a chartered accountant and passionate philanthropist, leads Primarc's design and construction efforts. Fascinated by innovative structures and a firm believer that "good design is good business," he places community spaces at the heart of architectural design, building happy communities across all projects.

Piyush, an alumnus of the founding batch of the Indian School of Business, has been instrumental in driving technological change within Primarc. A strong proponent of modernisation, he has successfully led the group's retail and distribution businesses. Under his leadership, Primarc has acquired a dominant position in retail with 40 stores across various formats in eastern India, partnering Raymond, Tanishq, Manyawar, among others.

"We complement each other but Primarc is a team that extends beyond our family,” Sidharth points out, “There are many incredible leaders who drive Primarc forward, and we're very cognisant of their role.”

At the Primarc office, this culture of teamwork is indeed very palpable.

A Culture of Sharing Success

Stepping into the sleek, modern Primarc Square, Sidharth is greeted by a wave of energy. The openplan design fosters transparency and collaboration—a physical manifestation of the company's ethos. He heads straight to the morning huddle, where teams converge to share updates and brainstorm.

Today's focus is on an upscale residential project coming up on Kolkata's riverfront. Ideas flow freely, with contributions coming hard and fast from each team member. "We believe in giving employees agency and responsibility," Sidharth emphasises. "Our team is our greatest asset. When they succeed, we all succeed

It's an approach that has served them well. The Primarc tagline, "Together is Progress", is a philosophy that permeates every facet of the company's operations. It helps them drive exceptional value for homebuyers and landowners alike, with best-in-class offerings and on-time deliveries. Partners are treated as extensions of the Primarc family. By fostering transparent communication and fair practices, the company ensures that everyone thrives.

This culture of shared success is perhaps most evident in Primarc's social initiatives. Through various CSR activities and philanthropic efforts, including education, training, healthcare, and environmental initiatives, the company gives back to the community.

Passion for Innovation

The afternoon is packed with back-to-back meetings. From Primarc's projects to CREDAI responsibilities, Sidharth's role is multifaceted. But one aspect that stands out is his foray into angel investing.

"I've always been fascinated by innovation," he explains. "Investing in startups like Design Café, Wooden Street, Sirona, and Sampurn Earth allows me to support ideas that can change the world."

In a meeting with the investment team, they analyse potential startups. "We look for passion in founders," he says. "Are they solving a real problem? Do they have the grit to see it through?

This appreciation of grit was ingrained early into Sidharth. Like his father who started on the retail shop floor, Sidharth began his career running a Crossword bookstore. He dived deep into the business, keeping close tabs on reading habits and publishing trends, frequently interacting with customers to get a real-world feel of consumer behaviour. His passion for books made it more of a personal journey than a business venture, acting as the catalyst behind the creation of Story, one of Kolkata's most beloved bookstores.

"I wanted to create more than just a place to buy books," he explains. "I envisioned a platform where people come to be entertained, informed and inspired.” Story quickly became an iconic store, hosting book readings and workshops that connected authors with avid readers.

His perseverance and commitment to pushing boundaries didn't stop there. At an age when most are still climbing the corporate ladder, Sidharth became the youngest president of CREDAI Bengal, the state's leading real estate developers' association. "It was a significant challenge," he admits. "But challenges are opportunities in disguise."

In his role at CREDAI, he has championed sustainable development, transparency, and innovation in the real estate sector. "We have a responsibility to shape not just skylines but the lives of the people who inhabit our buildings," he says with conviction. Under his leadership, CREDAI Bengal has initiated programs to promote green building practices and affordable housing, impacting countless lives

Big Ambitions

In the evening, as the office begins to clear, Sidharth is wrapping up some final meetings with the team. The riverfront project is shaping up to be another game-changer in the category. The mixed development project in Bhopal will take Primarc westwards into Central India for the first time. And there is a perceptible excitement around the acquisition of DLF Techpark 1 in Kolkata, a landmark transaction that marks Primarc's entry into the IT/ITeS sector.

On the drive back home, Sidharth reflects on the day's events. “We have very big plans. And very shortly, we hope to make some more huge announcements,” he confides, “We're expanding rapidly, but on our terms. It's important to safeguard our essence as we advance.”

At home, the family gathers around the dining table. His parents and brothers each have their own apartment, but still share a common pantry. So dinnertime is an occasion for the whole clan to connect, a lively affair with conversations flowing around the table—discussions about the children, new experiences, the latest shows on OTT platforms, books, and movies. Tonight, his parents share stories from Rajasthan. The children listen with rapt attention as their grandparents recount tales of valour, tradition, and the rich tapestry of Marwari culture.

"We want our kids to appreciate their heritage," Sidharth says. "Our roots and values emphasise simplicity, respect, hard work and a trader mindset. As Marwaris, we are naturally debt-averse. And we place great importance on the development of community and society. These values shape our interactions and decisions."

Before turning in, Sidharth reviews his schedule for the next day, sends out a few emails, sets his alarm, and places his iPad on the bedside table. "Tomorrow is a new day, full of possibilities," he says with optimism.

As he settles into bed, one can't help but admire the balance he maintains— between tradition and modernity, work and family, ambition and humility. The night may have fallen, but there's a new dawn waiting with leaders like Sidharth at the helm, steering not just companies, but communities towards growth, collaboration, and meaningful change.