Shri. Jagdish Chokhani

16th December 1949

The young entrepreneur: The entrepreneurial journey commenced in 1968. Initiative and business acumen were the twin sparks that led to the establishment of Mr Chokhani’s very first business initiative in Delhi. His natural proclivity for business was evident even at the remarkably young age of nineteen years.

The diversifier: After a short span of three to four years, an entrepreneurial opportunity was availed of and there was a move to Chennai. There was diversification in his enterprise to include the export of rosewood timber, silk and human hair in the years 1971-72. Additionally, at the same time, there was collaboration with Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd for the transport of raw material for their manufacturing process and for managing the sales of their company’s entire production of cement.

The developer: In 1975, a decision was taken to return to Delhi and undertake further expansion. A new manufacturing unit for pressure vessels and heat extinguishers was established at Faridabad. In a short span of seven years the commercial enterprise had witnessed both diversification and expansion under the stewardship of Mr Chokhani.

The collaborator: A landmark business collaboration was formed in the year 1982 between Singapore’s Keppel Corporation and India for building a shipyard dedicated to ship repairs at Chennai. This was the largest ever collaborative business activity between the two countries of the time and is hailed as a pioneering initiative undertaken by Mr Chokhani. This project was completed in a record time of seven years and was managed successfully for an entire decade by Mr Chokhani himself. He renounced management of this endeavour due to both external and internal factors.

The consolidator: The invincible business organizer then gained the marketing of ductile iron pipes produced by ElectroSteel Castings Ltd in the year 2000. He has since effected a joint venture with the D P Jindal group for the manufacture of submerged arc welding pipes where he currently maintains successful operations.

The advisor: The expertise and vast experience of Mr Chokhani has found a conduit in a new role. As advisor to his son who is developing a web portal and seeks to crystallize his father’s knowledge and wisdom, Mr Chokhani has expanded his legacy to reach new generations.

Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra it has been an enriching entrepreneurial journey for Mr Chokhani from Mumbai to Chennai to Delhi. He is blessed with a close-knit family that includes his wife, two daughters, a son, a daughter-in-law and five grand-children. Enthusiastic about music and the performing arts, he has studied at the Staff College of Hyderabad. Though unable to complete his Bachelor of Commerce studies, the book of life has been his mainstay.

Known as much for his personal qualities as for his professional dynamism, he is always happy and jovial. He strongly believes in letting bygones be bygones. Building relationships and building businesses based on values, Mr Jagdish Chokhani has lived his exemplary life woven together with his personal philosophy of being forgiving and keeping people close together. And that, above all, is his heart-warming inspiring legacy.