Nand Kishore Chaudhary : Stories of 20 entrepreneurs from small towns in India
The Next SEO News Magazine
Posted: Apr 28 2014
Largest company of the world in value added spices, one of Top 10 publishing BPOs in the world, India’s biggest exporter of hand-knotted carpets, largest machine tool manufacturer, largest honey exporter, and largest leather exporter all started up in small towns in India, not the big metros.
Over the decades, big ideas and successful entrepreneurs have made a mark in small-town India, as shown by the 20 profiles in the new book by Rashmi Bansal, Take Me Home.
Hunger for success, inspiration, diligence and persistence are also the hallmarks of success of entrepreneurs in smaller towns, where glamour may be lacking but the quieter and gentler way of life as well as the desire to hang on to local roots are assets in their own right.
Rashmi Bansal is the author of a number of books on startups and social entrepreneurship, such as Poor Little Rich Slum. She graduated from Sophia College in Mumbai and IIM Ahmedabad.
The book (357 pages, published by Westland India) covers three kinds of entrepreneurs: those who left India and then returned to launch their ventures, those who never left India, and those who have a broader social vision. Each entrepreneur profile in the book is about 15-20 pages in length, and includes key takeaways along with the ups and downs of each journey.
Nand Kishore Chaudhary grew up in Churu, Marwar, and started off his carpet business with weavers from the ‘chamar’ caste, regarded as untouchables. Today, Jaipur Rugs is India’s biggest exporter of hand-knotted carpets. The company connects woven products directly to global markets, and employs a range of weavers, including tribal women. A focus on local inclusion and global trends led the company to be profiled as a case study by the late great Prof. C.K. Prahalad.
Each chapter in the book ends with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn how to dream, then make it come true. Create your own destiny; you have just one life. Creation gives the best fulfillment and gratification. Do not get distracted by comforts and easy money. To best understand the value of money, earn it with your own sweat. Startup life is full of ups and downs – learn to love a challenge.
Do not underestimate the challenges of doing business in India – red-tapism, corruption, chalta-hai attitudes, non-paying corporate customers, slow and erratic government decision-making. But do not give in to corruption or bribery, they will only suck away your time, energy and reputation. Every place in India has its ups and downs, learn how to find the balance.
Many entrepreneur learnings are also drawn from India’s rich spiritual traditions. Do your duty but also learn to detach yourself from the outcome. God has given you the biggest boon – life as a human being. Do your best and leave the rest to God’s grace. When you die, you can’t take your bank account with you – so it is better to leave a mark on society and make the world a better place.
