Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari releases book on Chetak Group founder Jai Karan Sharma

Jai Karan Sharma aimed to revolutionize the Indian logistics industry, shifting it from a simple transportation system to a game-changing force.

NEW DELHI: Nitin Jairam Gadkari, the Union Cabinet Minister for Road Transport and Highways released a Biographical Book on Late Jai Karan Sharma, Founder – Chetak Group, to honour and acknowledge Shri Sharma as a self-made entrepreneur and a philanthropist, at a momentous event, on Feb 27, 2023. Authored by senior journalist Madhurendra Sinha, the Biographical book capturing the life journey of Jai Karan Sharma was released by the Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari ji along with Smt. Krishna Sharma.

Also present on occasion were Mool Chand Sharma, Transport Minister, Government of Haryana, P S Gahlaut, MD, India Potash, Mukesh, Rajesh and Sachin Haritash, Directors Chetak Group and sons of Shri Jai Karan Sharma, Madhurendra Sinha, Arun Arora, Director, Chetak Foundation and Prabhat Kumar, Founder Prabhat Prakashan, the publisher of the biography. The audience comprised the who’s who of the automobile world, corporate leaders, logistics stalwarts, friends, and family members of the Sharma clan.

Titled ‘Karam Yodha – Jai Karan Sharma’, the captivating biographical book captures Shri Sharma’s illustrious life journey wherein he excelled professionally, socially, and personally. Jai Karan Sharma, son of a farmer hailing from Jhinjhar, a small village in Haryana, was a self-made entrepreneur who started from scratch and went on to build Chetak Group, the leader in Logistics in India.

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Nitin Gadkari releases book on Jai Karan Sharma, calls him a rural role model for entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari said, “I am happy to release a biographical book of Shri Jai Karan Sharma ji, who was the son of the soil and a self-made person. A person with rural background and moderate means, he fought against all odds, starting from scratch and going on to build a company that created substantial employment and contributed to the economy. People like him help the government’s efforts in working on various development initiatives, and I am sure the book, which captures his trials, tribulations and successes, will inspire the youth of future generations to emulate him and take up entrepreneurship and take advantage of various government policies to create employment, rather than seeking employment.”

Jai Karan Sharma revolutionized Indian logistics and created jobs

Jai Karan Sharma’s vision was to redefine the rules in the Indian logistics industry, which was hitherto considered a means of transporting goods from point A to point B. He brought credibility to the sector, bringing logistics to the mainstream as a contributor to the nation’s economy. He introduced what is now called Integrated Logistics solutions with multi-modal transportation, warehousing, packaging and just-in-time solutions way back in the 1980s. He had a knack for visualising the future economic scenario, which helped him take the most daring decision relating to fleet expansion and asset acquisition, which resulted in sectoral growth and substantial employment generation.

Renowned artists perform Nritya Ballet Jugalbandi depicting Shri Sharma’s life journey

Shri Sharma’s life journey was beautifully captured in a Nritya Ballet Jugalbandi by globally renowned artists, including President Award winner and well-known Kuchipudi dancer couple Guru Pasumarthy and Dr Bharthi Vithal, their disciples led by Smt. Niharika Safaya accompanies by Pranshu on Tabla from famous Chaturlal Gharana, who danced to the melodious vocal recital of Smt. Alka Sinha, an author and a famed Doordarshan and Akashvaani anchor.

Shri Sharma was a people’s man. He believed in the dignity of labour and made it his mission to accord respect to the community. He stood for inclusive growth by supporting many potential entrepreneurs to set up their own transport companies. He was passionate to help underprivileged people. He contributed to the education sector by supporting the infrastructure development of schools and colleges.

Jai Karan Sharma: Champion of Inclusive Growth, Education, and Dignity of Labour

Many prominent audience members shared their memories and experiences with Shri Sharma. These included Mool Chand Sharma, Mayank Pareek (Ex- MSIL, Tata), Sharma ji’ s granddaughter Kaniesha, R S Kalsi (MSIL), Manohar Bhat (Ex MSIL, Hyundai, Kia), Rajesh Kaul (Tata), Ajit Kumar (Kotak) and Prabhat Kumar from Prabhat Publications, among others.

Chetak Group Chairperson thanks Nitin Gadkari for releasing book

Smt. Krishna Sharma, Chairperson, Chetak Group, and wife of late Shri Jai Karan Sharma, said, “We are humbled that the Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari ji has released the autobiographical book of Sharma ji. This is a blessing for all of us. Sharma ji started his business life with meagre capital. His hard work, passion, determination and, above all, his desire to support everyone around him helped him achieve such great heights. I am happy that our sons are carrying forward Sharma ji’ s legacy, expanding his business and spreading his good deeds by helping the underprivileged. My special thanks for blessing for Sachin, Madhurendra ji and Arun Arora for tirelessly working on this book to make our dream come true.”

Recognization to Jai Karan Sharma’s contributions to society

Many national and international organisations have numerously recognised Shri Sharma’s contributions to society’s social and economic development. In the past, he was given the “Transport Rattan” Award by AIMTC, “Outstanding National Citizen” Award by NSG, “Transport Samraat” by AIMTC and the Rastriya Udyog Rattan Award by the Institute of Economic Studies.

Alden Global Value Advisors bestowed upon him the title of ‘The Logistics Man of India’. He was given the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at Social Impact Awards. G Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of Northeaster region, released My Stamp, issued by India Post to Honour Jai Karan Sharma, last year.

His dream lives on through the Chetak Foundation, a social arm of Chetak Group, set up by his family as a tribute to Shri Sharma’s vision of positively impacting the lives of underprivileged communities. The Foundation focuses on Education, Environment, Health, Livelihood, Nutrition and Road Safety.

The Chetak Group

Established in 1979, Chetak Group takes pride in its long-range strategy of providing comprehensive logistics solutions to its customers. Equipped with its own two million square feet modern warehousing facilities across India, the Group provides Total Supply Chain Solutions, including Transportation Services through all modes, Warehousing & Distribution, International Freight Forwarding, Customs Clearance & Logistics Services. The Group, located in Delhi, the national capital, has 60 offices and branches across India at major industrial hubs to provide effective solutions to its customers.

Chetak Group is known for its ‘On-time performance and Quality Service, leading to an impressive clientele of automobile industry leaders since its inception. These include all major national and global automobile brands such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Hyundai, JCB, Kia, and Honda, among many others.

Caption from Left to Right: Sachin JKS haritasH (Director-Chetak Group), Prabhat (Head, Prabhat Prakashan) Shri Moolchand Sharma (Transport Minister-Haryana Govt), Shri Arun Arora (Director-Chetak Foundation), Smt. Rashi Haritash, Shri Mukesh Haritash (Director-Chetak Group), Smt. Krishna Sharma (Chairperson-Chetak Group and Wife of Late Shri Jai Karan Sharma Ji), Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari (Union Cabinet Minister for Road Transport & Highways), Shri P.S. Gahlaut (MD, India Potash),  Shri Madhurendra Sinha (Author) and Rajesh Haritash (Director-Chetak Group).

(India CSR)