--By Om Prakash Khanal

 

Vijay Kumar Sarawagi, Managing Director of Sarawagi Group who is recently elected as an Executive Committee Member of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has an experience of 28 years in manufacturing and trading. Based in Birgunj, Sarawagi has been associated with Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry and FNCCI since last 16 years. 

 

A multi-dimensional personality, Sarawagi’s engagements are not limited to manufacturing and trading. He is also involved in areas of banking, life insurance, education, agriculture, private forest, land and land development and media. Lately, he has shifted his attention to education and forestry.   

 

Early Life

Born to Chiranjiwi Lal Sarawagi and Padma Devi Sarawagi in Birgunj in 1967, Sarawagi says he enjoyed a simple and happy childhood. “I was brought up in a joint family. Our family history starts from the time my ancestors migrated from India to Nepal more than 120 years back. From the very beginning, our family was involved in manufacturing, trade and in social work,” says Sarawagi. He did his schooling in Darjeeling, and completed his graduation in B Com from Hari Khetan Multiple Campus of Birgunj.

 

After graduation, Sarawagi thought of becoming a Chartered Accountant and pursued for the same. “I completed three years of my articleship, but unfortunately I was not able to appear in my last semester exams due to some unavoidable circumstances,” recalls Sarawagi.  Being a man of independent thought, Sarawagi then wanted to start his own business apart from the family business. He worked on his own, and also helped his family business advance. With time, he diversified his area of focus, and started various businesses. 

 

Present Day

Today, Sarawagi Group has numerous industries and trading houses under it namely Trishul Trade Links, Sarawagi Brothers, Saurabh International Concern, Kanchan Plastic Udhyog Pvt Ltd, Hardia Krishi Farm Pvt Ltd, Syndicate Housing Developers Pvt Ltd, Trishul Ancillary Products and Packaging and Bakers Foods Pvt Ltd. Sarawagi is also the Director of MB Kedia Dental College Pvt Ltd and H & B Development Bank Limited. Besides, he is the Chairman of Asian Life Insurance Limited and Race Nepal (Narayani FM). 

 

 Sarawagi says he realized early in life that one cannot sustain in a competitive market by being involved only in a single business owing to the short business life span in Nepal. That is the reason why he is engaged in numerous businesses. “When I was young, I always thought of involving myself in the service of society and country. This is the same path I am walking on till today,” says Sarawagi. 

 

The Shift

A few years ago, labour problem had hit Birgunj hard and all the industries were affected by it. At that time, all the industries were closed. That was the time when Sarawagi entered in trading business. “Our basic business was supplying raw materials to small scale industries, specifically food industries,” says Sarawagi. 

 

Sarawagi is currently busy with new projects which will be in education sector and private forest field. “We are coming up with a school named Gyanda Academy Pvt Ltd which will start from the coming session. This school will provide internationally accepted education system. We have also planted more than 40,000 eucalyptus trees for commercial use near Birgunj. This will have positive impact on the environment too,” says Sarawagi. 

 

Philosophies

Sarawagi believes that everyone should put their full effort in their work, and move ahead with honesty and integrity. “While hiring new employees for my Group, applicants have to face Interview, spend three months for internship or take on-the-job training period, after which they are evaluated on their job performance. If they excel, they will be hired,” says Sarawagi about his hiring process.   

 

According to Sarawagi, new businessmen and entrepreneurs should follow the business ethics and values, and aspire for realistic and attainable outcomes.  On success, he says that no one can be 100 per cent successful, but can always try to move towards it. “I measure my success based on the satisfaction of my customers, and the contribution that I have made for the society,” says he.  

 

 

Personal Side

While free from business, Sarawagi like to meditate. Travelling, reading books and listening to music are some of his hobbies.  He has travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, UAE and India.  “I keep balance between my personal and professional life by being honest to my work and family. I don’t have anything to hide from anyone,” says Sarawagi who like to call himself an open and extrovert person.  

 

Married to Banita Sarawagi, the couple is blessed with two daughters and a son. “I still remember the excitement I felt when I first became father. It is one of the most memorable moments of life. Another moment I recollect is when I was elected the President of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Executive Member of FNCCI,” says he. 

 

Apart from business, Sarwagi is involved with numerous social institutions. He is a Past President of Lions Club of Birgunj Gateway and is the Advisor of Lions Club International 325 B. He is the life member of Nepal Red Cross, past president of Marwari Yuva Manch and Executive Member of Marwari Seva Trust. “I am also voluntarily engaged in a government school where I work for social upliftment and education of girls from poor families. Under my leadership, I have led several constructions including a public road and Shreepur Ward Police Office.”

 

Sarwagi says that now he wishes to see his children get settled, and make sure that they too work for the betterment of society and country. An optimist, Sarawagi says that he lives his life without any regret. “I genuinely believe that our country soon becomes a stable and flourishing one, and all the Nepalis enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life,” says he.