Nand Kishore Chaudhary
Nand Kishore Chaudhary | |
---|---|
Born |
Churu, Rajasthan, India | 13 June 1953
Residence | Jaipur |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Chairman and Managing Director of Jaipur Rugs |
Religion | Hinduism |
Website | NK Chaudhary |
Nand Kishore Chaudhary (born June 13, 1953) is an Indian social entrepreneur.[1] He currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of the social enterprise Jaipur Rugs, which he founded in 1978.
Early life
Nand Kishore Chaudhary was born in a Marwari family in the Churu district of Rajasthan.[2] He was not interested in following his father in the traditional family business of shoe-making. Instead, he was fascinated by the carpet business, and started weaving with two looms in the year 1978.
Career
The carpet weaving in the Indian knotted carpet industry used to take place through middlemen. These middlemen used to exploit the artisans by not paying them amounts commensurate with their art. N. K. Chaudhary through his formative years wanted to change this scenario.
Hence he established the social business model of Jaipur Rugs, connecting the poor weavers with the global markets by building a global supply chain focused on developing human capability and skills at the grassroots level, providing steady income for rural men and women in the most depressed parts of India and connecting them with markets in the United States.[3] Visionary, Man of the Masses, and a Businessman with a Heart of Gold” Mr. Nand Kishore Chaudhary (NKC), is the founder of Jaipur Rugs. It is his story of success and prominence that clearly shows how determination and willpower, when coupled with knowledge, clear vision and proper planning, enables one to reach the peak of humility with leadership.
In 1978, he initiated his carpet business operations with just two looms and 9 artisans. Now, it has converted into a network of more than 40,000 artisans across 6 states in India and today, is known as India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of hand knotted rugs. The carpets are exported to more than 40 countries across the world. Mr. N K Chaudhary’s vision is to see Indian hand-knotted rug industry at par with the international industry. For this, he is constantly working to promote and facilitate research in the rug industry with special focus on product development and technology inclusion.
Mr. NK Chaudhary believes that the reason behind his devotion to the cause is seeing underprivileged people empowered. He wants to identify, develop and enhance their skills, so that they could continue sustaining and lead a respectful life In order to uplift the grassroots and introduce them into the carpet production value chain, he established Jaipur Rugs Foundation, which works to enhance their artisanal skills and design sense, helping them further to become entrepreneurs. By elevating their status from mere wage earners to become business owners, it provides better ways to artisans, especially women below poverty line to earn more and lead a financially empowered life.
It’s all about turning artisans as leaders within their occupation and to become self-employed for the future.
Personal life
N. K. Chaudhary is married to Sulochana. They have five children, Asha, Archana, Kavita, Yogesh and Nitesh, all of whom are involved in Jaipur Rugs.
Recognition
He is regarded as the Gandhi of the carpet industry[4] due to his commitment to uplifting society through the art of carpet weaving.
Honours and awards
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 for the best Start-Up. NKC received the only global business award of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Start Up 2010. This award commemorates and encourages the most resilient of Indian entrepreneurs. NKC’s innovative thinking and entrepreneurial success became synonymous of his victory.[5]
- Distinguished Entrepreneur Award in the year 2010 by PHD Chamber of Commerce. In order to bestow recognition to Indian businesses and Entrepreneurs for Outstanding achievements, NKC received “Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award” where the theme of the annual session was “Inclusive Growth thru Skill Development – Vision 2017”[6]
- Game Changer Award by The HR Club on Feb 7, 2015
- India Pride Award 2011 - Social Change Agents prize at the inaugural ceremony of the India Pride Awards 2011, for giving employment to more than 40,000 carpet artisans in 10 states in India and being a Change Agent in the field of Social Development and Equity. [7]
- Karmaveer Puraskaar 2012 - The KARMAVEER PURASKAAR AWARD bestowed upon our founder member as Real Wealth Creator for the communities KVP, 2012.
References
- ↑ http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/ck-prahalad-releases-two-new-case-studies
- ↑ http://www.nkchaudhary.com/about.html
- ↑ http://origin-www.ibnlive.com/news/forbes-india-weaving-the-magic-carpet/97974-7.html?from=prestory
- ↑ http://www.globalens.com/DocFiles/PDF/cases/inspection/GL1428849I.pdf
- ↑ http://www.ey.com/IN/en/About-us/Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year/EOY-2010-India-finalist---N-K-Chaudhary
- ↑ http://www.phdcci.in/AGM-2010-citation.pdf
- ↑ http://www.jaipurrugsco.com/Infrastructure.aspx