The Chairman and Managing Director of the diversified Sujana Group, Y.S. Chowdary, is set to turn mentor and support start ups in the areas of education, healthcare and agriculture.
"Having completed 25 years as the Chairman of the group, it is time to look at business and the society from a different perspective. Therefore, I am looking at creating a corpus fund to support viable business proposals. The focus will be to ensure sustainability and profitability," he told Business Line.
From a small company manufacturing ceiling fans in 1986, under the brand name Padmini, Sujana has managed to consolidate and develop the manufacturing skills by setting up several major projects including Sujana Metal Products, Sujana Tower and Sujana Universal.
"We have grown to be Rs 7,000-crore revenue diversified group with several listed entities employing more than 10,000 people directly and indirectly. We now have interest in steel, tower business, fabrication, power, appliances, healthcare, real estate among others," he explained.
"The country now has more than 65 per cent of the population below 35 years and it is time to harness the advantages of such a vast talent pool. Therefore, I will play a pro-active role in mentoring and funding start ups in agriculture, healthcare and education," he said.
To build on the human capital, Sujana has established a Centre of Business Excellence whose focus will be on knowledge sharing for the welfare of our associated and also in mentoring people with good ideas.
"Youngsters in the rural parts have good ideas but no one to look forward to. Through this initiative, we plan to handhold them and help develop their ideas by sharing our learning, skilling and by funding," he said.
The group is celebrating its Silver Jubilee.