“Pichli Diwali pe humare pass enjoy karne ke liye kuch nai tha. Sara pesa invest kar dia tha business mein. Ye Diwali jordar enjoy karenge”
..comes a rather confident voice on the other side of the phone call. Meet Mahendra Chaudhari.
Mahendra, born on 7 oct 1988, originally comes from a small village of Mehsana in south-eastern Gujarat.
“I come from an agricultural background. My father is into farming as well. I took a different route though”
Mahendra Chaudhri has made it extraordinary today. Coming from a small village of Vithoda, Mehsana district, he succeeded in setting a benchmark for all the doers.
“I am not of a nature that can deal with stringent rules and orders, hence I figured am not a naukri material. Pehle se hi, apna khud ka dhandha karna tha.“
An active student of politics during his college years at Gujarat University, all Mahendra initially had was connections.
“I have won student election in 2011. You can say that was my defining moment. Jordaar contacts che aapda. (I have made good contacts)”
Setting up his firm with no prior knowledge of business, Mahendra decided to venture into what he had studied – Energy.
“During my college, I found solar photovoltaic very fascinating. I decided to pursue my PhD studying the same and decided to start a venture in the same.”
Aatap Energy began on 23 July, 2014.
“Initially, I didn’t have money to start. Ekdum khali. But I knew I had to start my business anyhow. Somehow I persuaded one of my cousins to lend some initial investment. My family and friends supported me quiet well. Friends like Mitesh Shethwala and Sharad Parekh have stood been my constants”
Mahendra decided to operate in renewable and environment industry.
“We deal with photovoltaic power plants, right from installations to designing, project execution, consultation and maintenance. “
Mahendra’s company has become profitable in short span of time.
Having a rural backdrop, Mahendra shares that it was slightly difficult for him to adjust to city, something that motivated him to take part in politics during his college years in Ahmedabad.
Mahendra is blessed with a tiny, happy family – a beautiful wife and a two month old son.
“Starting a business is a great lesson in itself. It is easiest way to identify people who will stand by. We have gotten cheated, things have not always gone as they must, but I have one funda – to never give up and never to lose faith“
When I ask him if he’d like to share some suggestions with our readers, he coyly smiles saying it is too early for him to preach. I insist.
“I have learnt that it is very important to be humble. I know that even if I will become big shot tomorrow, I will always go back to people and places I have made memories with.”
Certainly, Gujarati businessmen never cease to fascinate me 🙂
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