Own your city, build your future in J&K: Rahul Sahai urges MIET students

Jammu: Rahul Sahai, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu Chapter, has urged students to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir rather than focusing exclusively on employment outside the Union Territory.

Addressing a Leadership Talk Series organised by the School of Management at the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Sahai called on young people to use their skills and ideas to build businesses, create jobs and contribute to the region’s economic development.

“Take ownership of your city and Jammu and Kashmir. This beautiful Union Territory has immense potential. Rather than looking only at opportunities outside, explore what you can build here,” Sahai said at the programme held at the Sh. H.L. Gupta Auditorium on the institute’s Kot Bhalwal campus.

The discussion, moderated by Prof. Ajay Khajuria, Professor of Practice at the School of Management, covered leadership, family business succession, institutional legacy and entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sahai drew upon his experience in business and industry associations to outline opportunities for young entrepreneurs in sectors such as information technology services, Global Capability Centres, tourism, religious tourism, logistics, workforce solutions and sports infrastructure.

He cited opportunities in ventures such as pickleball courts, indoor sports facilities and cricket academies. He also encouraged students to explore Mission YUVA and other relevant government schemes to identify support for business ideas.

Highlighting practical business needs, Sahai suggested that entrepreneurs could help enterprises access the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), which facilitates the financing of trade receivables, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Leadership and family business succession

Reflecting on his professional journey, Sahai recalled the role of his late father, Ram Sahai, in building the Sahai Group and contributing to institutional and community life. He said values, discipline, family responsibility and service to society had influenced his approach to leadership.

Sahai said he began working in the family business in an intern-like role, learning its operations from the ground up before moving into manufacturing and eventually assuming full responsibility following his father’s death.

“Conviction often comes before ability. When your purpose is strong, you develop the abilities needed to fulfil it,” he said, recounting how the encouragement he received after his first public address at a memorial lecture in his father’s memory helped strengthen his confidence.

Distinguishing between management and leadership, Sahai said management involved ensuring that assigned work was completed effectively, while leadership required generating new ideas, adapting to changing circumstances and encouraging others to take responsibility.

He also discussed the need for family businesses to evolve with changing market conditions and accommodate the interests and skills of the next generation.

Chambers of commerce and local enterprise

Drawing on his tenure as chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Jammu and Kashmir, five years of leadership at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Jammu, and his subsequent role at ICC Jammu, Sahai spoke about the role of industry associations in business development and community initiatives.

He recalled an initiative during his CII tenure that supported the construction of 200 toilets to help address open defecation.

Sahai also called for constructive engagement with public representatives to improve infrastructure and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Encouraging students to think beyond geographical limitations, he cited cricketer M.S. Dhoni’s journey from Ranchi as an example of how talent from smaller cities could achieve national recognition. He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to target wider markets, including international customers, while building businesses from Jammu and Kashmir.

An interactive question-and-answer session gave students an opportunity to discuss leadership, business succession and entrepreneurship with Sahai.

MIET highlights industry–academia engagement

Prof. Ankur Gupta, Director of MIET, welcomed Sahai and highlighted the importance of connecting students with industry leaders. He also felicitated the guest with a memento.

The programme was attended by Col. Rajesh Sharma (Retd.), Registrar, MIET; Prof. Yogesh Manhas, Professor of Practice at the School of Journalism; and Prof. Ankita Nanda, Head of the School of Management, along with faculty members and students.

Ms. Antra Sharma, Assistant Professor at the School of Management, coordinated the programme.

Sahai thanked the MIET management and faculty for organising the interaction and providing a platform for dialogue between students and industry representatives.