Category: Leaders

Time and again we have witnessed many leaders and entrepreneurs who defeated all odds and emerged victoriously. Almost all entrepreneurial journeys are rife with trials and turbulences. But, the journey that Mr. Gattani took upon himself is something that comes by far and few in between.

RISING FROM THE ASHES

IDC Technologies started in the year 2003 in Milpitas, CA. Soon the company started getting buried in debts. When Mr. Gattani took over IDC in 2007, the company was reeling under heavy debts and an uncertain future and was mostly written off. The company was about to be absorbed by a $50 Million premier technology aggregator. Unwilling to give up, he took over the reins and turned the business around. Young and enterprising, he had a fresh vision to his approach. He spent the first two years paying off the vendors and other debtors and after that started the journey of rebuilding IDC. Under his leadership, the company sore like never before. Today, IDC Technologies revenue tornover from global operations is approx. $750 million. He established the company as a prominent player in the segments of IT Consulting, BPO Services, Remote Services and has also recently started operations in software services.

Mr. Gattani is a prime example of rising from the ashes in the world of business. His story is one of great gusto and determination. Mr. Gattani rebuilt the company slowly and steadily. From Staff Augmentation (Contract, Full Time, MSP, RPO), IT Project Managed Services to BPO Services, Payroll & HR Solutions, IDC is now a one-stop destination for everything. Under Mr. Gattani’s leadership, the company has grown to be a 10000-employee business with a widespread presence across the USA, Canada, UK & Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil, and Costa Rica. Mr. Gattani ensured that the business had a firm foundation. He built each vertical to be strong and self sufficient. The company now possesses extensive expertise and experience in a variety of technical fields, with which it can design customized business solutions. Its solutions include Infrastructure Support, Application Development & Support, Product Engineering, Emerging Technologies, etc. Mr. Gattani has always put a firm emphasis on delivering quality. He has built the business on the strong and unrelenting foundation of integrity, quality, and teamwork.

He has shared several times how this journey was tiresome, to say the least. There were many points where he wanted to quit. But he decided to go on and his risk finally paid off.

SHINING BRIGHT

With the help of Mr. Gattani, IDC Technologies has risen to become an industry leader. He managed to rebuild the business through capacity building and focusing on the 3 Ps that are people, processes, and product (innovation). Mr. Gattani always had the vision to see the bigger picture and not focus too much on the short-term goals. He knew that there is light at the end of the tunnel. He began to provide services at lower costs and at the same time started increasing the human resource of the company. This resulted in the decreased dependency on looking outside the company for any functions and IDC Technologies became independent gradually.

When IDC Inc. was born in India the economy was suffering through a recession. It was Mr. Gattani’s continuous efforts that made the company wither those difficult years. It emerged through the recession to become a global leader in the IT consultation industry. Under his leadership, IDC developed at the rate of 75% every year and reaped the success that no one had thought of. Mr. Gattani and his team have made sure to build the right team and hire all the right people who have experience and knowledge about the business environment and who can provide exceptional quality services in a very short period, this is what makes them stand apart from their peers. Mr. Gattani is also very particular about keeping the employees motivated. Outdoor activities, incentives, volunteer activities, and more are organized to help employees stay motivated and enjoy their work. Mr. Gattani promotes open communication. For him, discipline and the satisfaction rate of the employees are equally important. All ideas are given an open platform and anyone can come up to share their inputs with the management. The same is with problems, anyone can come up and raise concerns with the leadership and it is ensured that all issues are resolved together as a team.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

His persistence has brought immense accolades and laurels to IDC Technologies. Over the years, many forums have recognized the promising future of IDC Technologies. In 2016, IDC was named among America’s Most Honoured Businesses. It has also been featured in ‘Top 100 Tech Companies Founded & Managed by Indians in The U.S.’ Some other notable awards include – 52 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in The Silicon Valley, Top Companies in California on The Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Top South Asian-Run Companies on The Inc. 5000, Top IT Services Companies on The Inc. 5000, America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Top Companies in The San Jose Metro Area on The Inc. 5000, 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, among many others.

He is now working to build upon these laurels. His sole focus is now on expansion and developing better solutions for the coming times. In the past five years, IDC has seen immense growth and now Mr. Gattani is all set to go beyond. As of now, IDC has a presence in several countries and now he is looking to expand in regions like APAC, MEA and Europe by strategically involving itself in key acquisitions and mergers.

Mr. Gattani is a true example of how hurdles can be used as stepping stones to move ahead. In his endeavor of picking up IDC Technologies from ashes and rebuilding it, he has written history.

Primus helps elders reduce the process of ageing by eradicating loneliness and ensuring ‘Zero Falls’. We ensure being proactive than being reactive, a set of assessments are done before on boarding elders so that they can be monitored under a customized care plan by our in-house medical team. Adarsh’s main objective is to improve the quality of life for elders.

THE VISIONARY APPROACH

Young, passionate, and confident, Adarsh has always believed in the excellence that comes with experience. Thus, when he thought of devoting his time to building a senior care facility, he did not jump into the entrepreneurial journey impulsively. Instead, he decided to gather data and experience to create a relevant model. So, he traveled across countries to study the best practices in geriatric care. From understanding the model of retirement communities to living with them, he did it all to discover what is best for seniors. Finally, in 2013, he launched Primus Reflection – a safe haven for elders offering complete senior care via a robust and self-sufficed ecosystem. It was such a success that the project was awarded the ‘Senior Living Project of the Year’ at the Realty Plus Awards, 2014. Under his supervision, the company was felicitated with Times Business Award 2022 – The Best Senior Citizen Community, ET Business Excellence Award 2020 – Excellence in developing in Senior Living Community, Times Business Award 2021- Best Senior Living Community in Bangalore, & Realty+ Award – Best Senior Living Project of the year 2019. His goal for Primus is to be the leading CCRC Player and be there at every stage of an elders life.

ACING AHEAD WITH PASSION AND KNOWLEDGE

Under the leadership of Adarsh, Primus has seen tremendous growth. From 200 units, now Adarsh has signed up for 2000+ units across India in four cities, namely Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bangalore. And this is not the end. More than 1500 branches are in pipeline and he will soon launch at-home geriatric services. This accelerated growth of Primus is a direct result of Adarsh’s passionate and skilled business acumen. The hands-on knowledge that he gained while pursuing a Master’s degree in Construction Management from the University of Leeds helps him understand how to make his real estate projects successful. As for his engineering base, it comes from his graduation in Industrial Engineering and Management from the RV College of Engineering in Bangalore. In fact, he gets involved in all the projects right from conceptualization, planning, and development, through the marketing and sales phases, leading up to the post-sales support for the project.

EN ROUTE TO BIG THINGS

While Primus is close to Adarsh’s heart, he also invests his time in other ventures. For instance, he is also a Managing Partner of ReWild Retreats LLP, which specializes in gated communities of managed, uber-luxurious farmhouses. He has also partnered with India’s largest warehousing player, Indospace Logistics Parks.

His business portfolio also includes land banking & aggregation along with the development of residential and office spaces. He was recognized with Times 40 Under 40 Award 2020 and Young Entrepreneur Award Construction Times for his remarkable contribution in developing senior care communities. And looking at his long list of achievements and accolades, it is right to say that the sky is the limit for him.

Leadership is a trait that many people learn later in life. However, it is inherent when it comes to Dr. Shalya Raj. Her mentorship has been instrumental in the institution’s growth for the past few years. She intends to continue striving for world class education for her students.

IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE WITH DEDICATION

Dr. Shalya Raj’s tryst with education began long ago. She completed her graduation from the SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad, and then pursued a Master’s in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics from Subharti Dental College.

Over the years, she published numerous research papers and articles and even authored academic books. Her sense of purpose and passion for academic excellence impressed the board of trustees of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University so much that they chose her as the CEO of the university.

Under Dr. Shalya Raj’s aegis, the university continues to create new knowledge through research, provide extraordinary patient care, maintain excellence in the classroom, and a care for the community.

Dr. Shalya Raj is more than a celebrated academician and teacher. She is a good clinician, a trained Kathak dancer, and a Hindustani classical singer. Her versatility has made her an integral part of all the cultural as well as social events of the university. So, she not only guides students in academic fields but also encourages them to nurture their artistic streaks.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Her dedication to the environment is also commendable. She is an ardent environmentalist who loves to ‘Go Green.’ Due to her efforts, the Subharti University campus is filled with lush greenery and has adopted innovative initiatives such as solar-driven vehicles, rainwater harvesting, compost pits, etc. Dr. Shalya Raj also started the “One person Adopts Two Trees” initiative on the campus wherein students, teachers, and the non-teaching staff participated.

One more impressive initiative of Dr. Shalya Raj is the donation drive in collaboration with “Unmukt Bharat.” As a part of this organization, she conducts donation drives for underprivileged people where she collects food, medicine, clothes, etc.

The list of her good deeds doesn’t end here. Dr. Shalya Raj has also started a free crèche facility for working women on campus.

BALANCING LIFE AND SUCCESS

Maintaining the perfect work-life balance is Dr. Shalya Raj’s forte. She manages her personal life while passionately working for the university. She understands the importance of physical and mental health in achieving new milestones in life; therefore, she indulges in outdoor activities like badminton and swimming. She also loves spending time with her kids and imparting her beliefs and values to them.

WINNING ACCOLADES AND HEARTS

Dr. Shalya Raj leads by the example and has received multiple awards and accolades over the years. For instance, she was named the CEO of the Year by SUMMENTOR PRO. In 2020, she was also bestowed with The Education Covid-19 Warrior of the Year 2020 Award by Asia Today.

She also received a Certificate of Special Achievement, Naari Shakti Ko Pranaam, from Brijbhoomi Foundation. In addition, in 2021, the Arunodaya organization bestowed her with The Influential Women Award for her inspiring journey.

A TRUE LEADER

Mr. Budhia founded the Patton Group 43 years ago with a small engineering plant in Tinsukia, Assam. Patton has since grown into a leading manufacturer and exporter of iron and steel fittings including precision electrical stampings, industrial fasteners, building hardware, EMT steel electrical fittings, PVC pipes, water storage tanks, and material handling containers.

Mr. Budhia is a true leader; he is self-motivated and a determined collaborator, who is looking to bring out the best in each member of his team. While business is an important part of Mr. Budhia’s life, he always finds time for his family and the community. Two autobiographies that compile his experiences in raising Patton from the ground up are ‘Jeevan Ek Rang Anek’ and ‘Panne Zindagi Ke.’ He has also been featured on the popular show ‘Kisse Kamyabi Ke,’ on the Zee Business channel.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Under the project ‘Water-On- Wheels,’ a specially designed water tank has been introduced that maintains the cleanliness and volume of water when being transported. Mr. Budhia has also spearheaded the educational initiatives undertaken by Patton, such as constructing new buildings for 2 government-run senior secondary schools at Ratan Nagar, Rajasthan, as well as restoring and donating a G+3 building for a government-run senior secondary school at Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Mr Budhia has founded Swarnim International School, a Senior Secondary school in Kolkata with a capacity of 2000 students and international standard infrastructure.

Patton has donated hospital beds, ambulances and medication to hospitals in Kolkata. It has conducted blood donation and cancer detection camps as well as awareness programs in the suburbs of West Bengal. It has also donated water tanks to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for its Sulabh project. Patton’s R.C. Agarwal Memorial Hospital, in Tinsukia, founded by him and now run by Medica, is the first-of its kind in the northeast and has helped to save many lives.

Patton is also working to create awareness in the mental health sphere with ‘Caring Minds,’ a super-specialty state-of-the-art mental health facility. It has also started ICanFlyy, an institute for special needs individuals with an adjoining Café ICanFlyy, which employs individuals with special needs. Through its tie up with Prerna Foundation, Patton has eased the process of paying tribute to the dead by providing full infrastructure at Neematalla Ghat. So, whether it be education, special needs, environment, heath, employment, Mr. Budhia has contributed to all the facets of life.

BRACING UP FOR THE PANDEMIC

In order to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic and protect its employees, Mr. Budhia ensured that Patton paid full salaries to all of them during the lockdown with not even a single retrenchment. It has introduced a Contactless Safe Wash Station, provided masks, sanitizers as well as medical help to those in need.

QSR Brands appointed Mr. Khanna to its Board of Directors in March 2020. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in April 2020. The Board chose him for his leadership brilliance, strategic competencies for organisational transformation, and consistent performance in previous roles. His appointment has been a pivotal step for the company, as he has extensive experience building high-performing teams, leading company growth, and improving product value.

The visionary leader stood up to the expectations of the Board by covering outstanding financial performance. He continues to take QSR Brands to new heights with his experience, determination, and zeal. Furthermore, he has shown extraordinary courage during the global health crisis posed by COVID-19.

Since his appointment, the company has embarked on a transformation journey while growing shareholder value. Keeping in mind QSR Brands’ values and vision, he continues to build upon them to ensure that the company remains competitive in the market.

AN IMPRESSIVE CAREER GRAPH

Mr. Khanna is a qualified lawyer. He pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from King’s College in London. Throughout his career, the well versed leader has held leadership roles at leading investment banks. Prior to joining QSR Brands, he worked as a Corporate Advisor to Johor Corporation, a state-owned investment company established by the government of Johor State (Malaysia).

Between 2010 and 2016, he served as Managing Director of Morgan Stanley’s Singapore office. Before joining Morgan Stanley, he worked for Deutsche Bank as the Managing Director, overseeing investment banking operations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

A CAPITAL MARKET EXPERT

An industry veteran with over two decades of experience in Investment Banking, Mr. Khanna has orchestrated some of the largest IPOs in Asia, including Petronas Chemicals’ USD 4.8 billion IPO and Felda Global Ventures’ USD 3.3 billion IPO (each as Global Coordinator).

As a capital markets expert, Mr. Khanna has been involved in several capital market mandates, including Khazanah Nasional, Axiata, Sime Darby, and other notable companies within Southeast Asia.

He has also advised numerous multi-billion-dollar corporate clients across the Southeast Asian region regarding transactions of mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets. These remarkable achievements make him uniquely qualified to drive any business forward.

A TRUE VISIONARY

Mr. Khanna is a proactive leader brimming with relentless energy. His passion about his vision is a testament to how much he loves his work. Under his stellar leadership, QSR Brands have been witnessing remarkable growth Y-o-Y. With his relentless efforts and strategic planning, he is helping the brand further strengthen its position in the market as the leading food chain brand loved and trusted by everyone in Malaysia.

Mr. Khanna’s new vision for the company is to provide future-proof dining experiences using technology and data. In the coming years, he aims to mould QSR into ASEAN’s premier food technology company. His strategic approach during the COVID-19 pandemic has already helped the brand transform into a technology-based omnichannel food service company. When thousands of thriving businesses struggled to stay afloat due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Khanna, instead of giving up, rolled up his sleeves and implemented an overnight transformation to upgrade the business model.

Firstly, he placed a high priority on keeping

The closure of his family business in India brought Harmeek to Dubai in 2003 to seek a job to support his family. 18 years ago, when he first moved to Dubai, he probably had no idea that he would eventually become the CEO and Founder of a homegrown company famed for revolutionising the UAE’s events sector. He managed to land a position in Dubai’s thriving advertising sector in 2003, earning only AED 2,000 per month. In 2004, he started his firm, Plan b Advertising, after working his way up to a monthly salary of AED200,000 in just two years.

Harmeek started as Plan b’s one-man army. The business owner admits that in the initial days, he had to juggle all aspects of the business all alone for almost a year before he could hire some help. However, those trying times have paid off as Plan b is now one of the most renowned advertising and events companies in the UAE. They provide various services, including marketing campaigns, experience-based event management, brand building services, promotional campaigns and launches, visual merchandising, and other projects. Harmeek’s active involvement, tenacity, and keen understanding of market fundamentals have earned Plan b distinction as a solution-driven partner for government and private sector events in the UAE.

The Plan b Group currently consists of 8 companies, including Plan b Advertising, Plan b Events, SiO2 Events (a boutique events agency), bSocial (PR, social media, and strategy arm), Next Door (a sports management company), bDecor (an interior design company), bMovies (digital media, application and technology), and bCreative (a boutique creative agency).

The Group is also actively growing due to the company’s multi-disciplinary teams that have over 100 years of combined experience. The company employs more than 500 people and has offices across three continents. In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, the company also has offices in Abu Dhabi, Delhi, and London, enabling it to operate throughout the Middle East, the UK and countries in the SAARC region.

The charismatic leader steers Plan b with a vision and passion that have helped the company become a market leader in delivering innovative, top-notch marketing and events services. Based on Plan b’s rapid expansion, Harmeek has received significant interest from foreign entities in a franchise system currently under consideration.

A NATURAL LEADER

Harmeek is a natural leader who leads with curiosity and wonder. His inquisitive nature inspires him to learn something new every day. His interest also contributes to his expertise in problem-solving. His strong suit is his creative approach to finding solutions to challenging situations. Despite going through difficulties during his initial days in Dubai, the astute leader persisted in his endeavour with tenacity and dedication, overlooking the financial challenges. His razor-sharp focus and self-assurance propelled him to success. Harmeek is a self-driven individual who is always at the forefront of delivering quality experiences at landmark events such as the Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon. His involvement in events such as Dubai’s Crown Prince annual heritage championship, Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament 2016, FIFA, Bentley and Hyundai has garnered accolades and appreciation.

A PEOPLE PERSON

Harmeek’s efforts are directed toward serving his people, and he credits much of Plan b’s success to his team. Additionally, he values his team members and considers them the company’s cornerstones. The admired industry leader treats his team as his family and takes good care of them. Despite challenging market conditions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Harmeek kept his Plan b family united and constantly motivated them to complete projects on time. He prioritises employee engagement and goes to great lengths to recruit, develop, and retain happy and successful employees. According to him, happy work culture is vital to an organisation’s success. He underscores the need for healthy work culture, saying, “Keeping your employees content involves so much more than a pay cheque; you need to build a solid culture to drive your workforce.” Harmeek also prioritises his customers’ needs to keep them ahead of the curve. He keeps a finger on the pulse of his clients and devises expansion tactics accordingly. He spends considerable time trying to know or understand his clients’ requirements to build a long-standing relationship and gain their loyalty by setting new standards.

STELLAR ACHIEVEMENTS

In 2015, Harmeek was honoured with the ‘Business Innovator of the Year Award’ by Masala. He also appeared in the weekly celebrity magazine Ahlan! Hot 100 in March 2013, 2014, and 2015. In December 2013, the leader received the ‘Man at His Best Award’ by Esquire Middle East. In October 2014, Arabian Business ranked him among ‘The GCC’s 100 Most Powerful Indians.

Harmeek unwavering commitment has also earned several prestigious awards to the Plan b Group, such as the ‘Best Real Estate Agency of the Year’ by Property Times (2015): ‘The Hamdan Heritage Center Recognition Award (2009-2015), and a royal accolade for the sixth consecutive year of work delivered for the Fazza Annual Championship.

DEDICATED TO SOCIAL WELFARE

Harmeek remains heavily involved in community projects. In 2016, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan applauded Harmeek’s commitment to the “Wanna Read?” initiative and appointed him as an official spokesperson for the charity. In the same year, the Goodwill Ambassador of the UN, His Excellency Dr Akram Sabry, honoured him with a certificate of appreciation for supporting the traditional souq and Ramadan activation in Abu Dhabi Mall. The company is also proud of the Box of Hope initiative, which has assisted and helped blue-collar workers since 2019. In August this year, Plan b Group will inaugurate the First Sikh temple, ‘Sri Gurunanak Darbar’ in St Petersburg, Russia.

Minhaj, through business expansion and diversification, is making a strong impact by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leading to significant employment opportunities in the Food & Beverages sector. As Minhaj states, his father’s persistence and hard work led the company to the pinnacle of success. He learnt the business fundamentals from his father, whom he considers to be his mentor and inspiration. He attributes his success to his father’s upbringing.

LEADING THE FMCG INDUSTRY

As the head of one of the oldest ventures in Bangladesh’s FMCG industry, Minhaj ensures meeting the rigorous quality standards and strict adherence to international manufacturing practices such as the Good Agriculture Practice (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Handling Practice (GHP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). In addition, Ahmed Foods also implements the ISO and BSTI standards.

LEADERSHIP ROLES

Minhaj is associated with many governing bodies for implementing food standards. He is the Chairman of ‘Food Safety & Factory Development Sub Committee’ of Bangladesh Agro-Processing Association and ‘Fruits and Vegetables Products Sectional Committee’ and ‘Starch, Derivatives and their By-products Sectional Committee’ of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). A few other prestigious positions he holds include that of the Convenor of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), member of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), member of the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), and Vice President of the Junior Chamber International (JCI),Dhaka East.

RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE

For his expertise and innovation in business, Minhaj has received the ‘Young Entrepreneurs Award 2021’ by JCI Bangladesh; ‘Manager of The Year Award 2020’ by the Europe Business Assembly, (EBA) Oxford, UK; and the ‘Young Asian Entrepreneur Award’ in 2020-2021. Receiving awards like ‘The Visionary Leader’ in 2019 and ‘Global Leader in Commerce Management’ 2020 -The BIZZ Award from the World Confederation of Business, Houston, USA have made Ahmed a renowned name in the global food and beverages industry.

GOALS FOR MILES AHEAD

Introducing top-quality foods and beverages has always been Minhaj’s priority. Alongside, he is focused on maintaining the position in the market and creating meaningful employment for the youth. Minhaj also plans to expand the company globally through his business ideas and innovations.

Tough times can never stop efficient and capable leaders like Minhaj. During the pandemic, Minhaj introduced Ahmed Xpress Delivery and Ahmed Xpress Chain Shop to help the customers buy the daily essentials without comprising on their health and safety. When most companies were facing depreciation because of the pandemic, Minhaj kept the company going through sustained efforts, teamwork, and by acclimatising to the changes brought on by the pandemic. He strives to move ahead while strengthening the principles, values and reliability of Ahmed Food Products.

Mother’s Public School was established thirty one years ago, in Bhubaneswar. A need of the society, the school was the perfect solution to the needs and challenges of working mothers. The institute’s first ever batch had just 14 students aged between 2 and 9 years. Initially, the aim was to provide a day-boarding with meal provisions so that working parents could be assured regarding the care and safety of their children. Since then, Mother’s Public School has grown and branched out to accommodate more academic and co curricular facilities for a wider range of age groups. With the recent opening of institute’s new branches in other geographic locations, Mother’s Public School is now reaching new and different parts of Odisha. No wonder, Sreejeet has been integral to this growth and success.

CHAMPIONING PROGRESS

The unique nature of the institution has also been a propelling factor in its increased demand across the state, and it has over 6000 students now. The Institution has grown in strength and stature since its humble beginnings. Adhering to the CBSE norms, Mother’s Public School priortises quality education and academic excellence through a structured curriculum.

Sreejeet feels that young people can be empowered to develop the skills and abilities that make them leaders of tomorrow. This sentiment is reflected in the school’s motto, ‘Service before Self.’ He also encourages the students to actively participate in socio-cultural activities that sensitize the students to respond to the needs of the society.

As a leader, Sreejeet ensures that the students gain knowledge and skills to become public-spirited. It would teach them to help others during difficult times such as a natural disaster, support and speak up for the less privileged, and contribute to humanitarian causes like funding and spending time at old age homes and orphanages.

FOSTERING GREAT MINDS

Sreejeet constantly works to broaden the students’ horizons on the stage, in the field, and in the classroom. He encourages creativity, expression and innovation through the integration of performing arts in the curriculum.

Mother’s Public School prides itself in fostering joy in education, independent thought, and supporting the passions and talents of its students. The after-school opportunities enable students to receive a rich and extended learning experience. Sreejeet and his exemplary staff’s collective efforts promote a positive school culture where everyone feels valued and respected.

He has created a community of passionate learners and truth seekers at the school, with each possessing a robust mind and creative heart. While following a curriculum aimed at the highest standards of academic excellence, the school ensures a congenial environment for the child’s overall development, under his exemplary guidance. In fact, he intends to create an atmosphere of growth that distinguishes students into becoming citizens of sound character, competence, creative leadership, academic excellence, and a genuine concern for people.

The flag of Mother’s Public School continues to soar under the outstanding leadership of Sreejeet. The school has set itself apart with a consistent record of top-quality education, co-curricular activities and social service.

Born at Cuttack in Odisha, Ms. Patnaik completed her schooling from Sonabera HAL VSV School in Koraput (Odisha) in 1979 and moved to Bhubaneswar to study Humanities at the BJB College. She also completed Post Graduation in Teacher’s Training from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Bhubaneswar from 1981 to 1985. She chose this course by SCERT to realise her childhood dream of establishing a school some day. Within a few months, Ms. Patnaik got married to a well known Bhubaneshwar-based interior designer and joined Kamala Nehru College in 1987, where she taught Psychology for a few years. She then returned to Koraput and started working as a primary class teacher in the same school where she had studied.

TURNING HER CHILDHOOD DREAM INTO A REALITY

With a marked sense of purpose and determination, Ms. Patnaik turned her childhood dream into reality. In 1991, she laid the foundation of the preschool called ‘Prakrit,’ with an initial investment of INR 30000, strength of 14 students in the age group of 2-9 years, and 5 teachers only. Ms. Patnaik initially worked as a lecturer in a college and then put all her earnings into the running of the school. Over the years, Prakrit provided preschoolers with an intellectually and creatively stimulating social and educational environment, and was eventually restructured into Mother’s Public School (Senior Secondary School). The school now boasts of a total strength of 2000 students who have been proving their mettle in academics year after year. With a good return on investment from the school, Ms. Patnaik opened Mother’s Public School’s first branch in Puri in 2015. Over the years, she also managed to set up 3 more branches in Rourkela, Pahal (Bhubaneswar) and Khandagiri (Bhubaneswar).

FOCUSING ON HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Ms. Patnaik believes that Mother’s Public School is a sanctum where curious and creative minds are allowed to blossom in a system governed by educational equity. With a blend of theoretical learning, unique pedagogical methods including tutorials, and extra-curricular activities, Ms. Patnaik and her team of hardworking and dedicated faculties have managed to create a loving community of purposeful and constructive learning that focuses on the development of every child’s mind, body and spirit. As the school Principal, Ms. Patnaik is approachable to the students, parents, and the staff alike. She is a great listener and resolves their issues in a calm and composed way.

INCLINATION TOWARDS SOCIAL CAUSES

Ms. Patnaik is keenly inclined towards certain social causes. She ensures that the students actively participate in social activities regularly to get sensitized to the needs of the society in good and bad times. Besides, the school employs uneducated and poor single women and widows and helps them live a dignified life. It also includes their children in the mainstream education to help improve their future.

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Ms. Patnaik has been bestowed with numerous awards and accolades for her pathbreaking contribution and constant endeavors in the field of school education. Some of them are ‘Global Principal Award 2021’ by Star Global Awards, ‘Times Power Odisha Award 2021,’ ‘CBSE Teacher’s Award 2009’ by Kapil Sibal (Former HRD Minister), ‘National Award for Teachers 2012’ by Shri Pranab Mukherjee (Former President of India), and the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Ekta Samman’ in New Delhi on the 70th birth anniversary celebration of Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi.

Biplab, a Bachelor In Hospitality Management from Pailan College Of Management & Technology, started his career in August 2011 as a Marketing Executive at The Stadel Hotel in Kolkata. In 2013, he joined Bengal Shrachi Venture’s Red Cherry Hospitality as Senior Sales Executive. In April 2014, he launched Petuk, a restaurant that specialises in Chinese and Tandoor items. He had his fair share of challenges while running the business, yet his meticulous planning and thoughtful execution have helped him succeed and become one of the most successful foodpreneurs in Kolkata. He says, “Our journey has been tough since we started it. We have experienced failures in every step and we have learnt from it and grown.”

In his opinion, everyone fails at some point in their lives, but only those who are brave enough to learn from their failures succeed in life. “Though we failed countless times, we were resilient enough to learn from them, and we make sure that we learn something new every day”, adds the humble entrepreneur.

A FUTURE-ORIENTED ENTREPRENEUR

Biplab is a future-focused entrepreneur who believes in setting the right kind of goals to reach new heights of success. Aside from setting goals, he also discusses the steps to achieve them and accomplish them. He says that future-oriented business planning helps him to be ready to capitalise on chances when they may arise.

While his short-term goal is to perform well consistently, his long-term plan is to establish himself as a pioneer in the hotel industry. He is also hoping to expand his restaurant chain to international markets with the help of investors.

“Currently, the hotel industry is stagnant and facing a lot of hurdles because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I am nevertheless optimistic that shortly, the level of competition in the market will grow by five times as compared to the pre-pandemic levels.” Biplab is currently chalking out a solid strategy to make his business future ready so that he can adapt and evolve easily and stay ahead of the curve in the face of the new normal.

Biplab is a people-centric leader who takes the initiative to build lasting relationships with his staff in the hope of creating overall success. He works in collaboration with his staff members, cracks jokes with them, and when necessary also gets strict with them.

EMBRACING THE EBBS & FLOWS IN BUSINESS

Biplab’s entrepreneurial journey has been really tough. Having seen a lot of failures, he has gained a lot of experience from them. Not long after he opened his restaurant, a fire engulfed the eatery. Despite his efforts to restore the restaurant, he was short of funds to take care of the operations. Despite this tragedy, he did not give up hope and remained optimistic.

After slowly coping with the downturn, he decided to start afresh without looking back. However, demonetisation in India in 2016 was another major blow to his business. Even though sales were low for four to five months during that period, he didn’t give up and again came out as a winner.

Another bolt from the blue was the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which had an unpredictable impact on entrepreneurs. After the first lockdown was imposed by the government in 2020, all his staff members left and his restaurant was shut down for months. To let the public know that he is still in business, Biplab decided to run the business on his own. He had another restaurant that was closed for almost six months. He eventually reopened the restaurant with the help of his mother and wife. They ran it for six months before things began to settle down, and his staff started rejoining him.

A catering wing was also started by him in 2018, which was running successfully until March 2020; however, due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, he started losing confirmed events. Still, he stood his ground and survived the wrath of COVID-19. The secret to his success, he says, is hard work paired with smart work.

His message to young entrepreneurs is to follow their hearts instead of giving up due to risk or failure. Although they may fail in the beginning, they shouldn’t be demoralized or let other people demoralize them. He asserts, “Entrepreneurial journey is always uncertain as there is never any way to predict what the future will bring; thus, it is better to be prepared for it rather than giving up. Therefore, when you fail, keep a strong head and always remember that you did your best, but things didn’t work out.” He continues, “one should learn from one’s failures, figure out what went wrong, close the gap, and then try again as hard as one can to achieve success.”

HIS INSPIRATION

Biplab credits much of his success to his mother who is a renowned gynaecologist. He takes inspiration from his 75-year old mother Dr. Archana Basu, who works enthusiastically throughout the day without getting exhausted. He says, “She diligently performs all her household chores when she gets home from work. Despite suffering twice from COVID-19, she still works hard and sets an example for others. I believe that if she can work hard at this age, I can work even harder and achieve even greater heights”.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Biplab is a socially conscious leader who aims to make a positive impact on society. With the broad goal of contributing to the well-being of the community in particular and society in general, he ensures his business practices reflect some form of CSR and environmental responsibility. He believes that CSR plays a much more crucial role during the pandemic when people are struggling to survive. To do his bit for the community, he initiated the No-Spitting campaign to discourage people from spitting in public places. The campaign is his attempt to create awareness among citizens of the dangers of spitting, which can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. He asserts, “I believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the city clean. Spitting in public places not only degrades the aesthetics of a city but also spreads several infectious diseases. We should all stop this practice in order to build a Swachh Bharat.”

GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS

Biplab received 45 Under 45 (Indian Edition) 2022 Award from WBR CORP UK Ltd. The Bengal Pride Awards organised by Eventbox in association with Brajvandana Foundation, UNICEF and International Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Best Emerging Entrepreneur 2021 Award in the hotel industry for building a successful business amidst the challenges posed by the COVID 19-induced pandemic. He considers these achievements as his career highpoint and hopes to achieve many more milestones in the years to come.