XLRI Entrepreneurship Course Churns Out Class of Businessmen

Students of first batch of entrepreneurship programme start own ventures, thank B-school
Jamshedpur, Sept. 5 (The Telegraph): At 22, Kavita Agarwal will become the proud owner of a multi-brand garment and accessory outlet in the heart of the city on September 11.

Her batchmate Nayna Shroff, also 22, is eager to taste success with her first business venture — a jewellery store, which will open doors at the end of this month.

And both Kavita and Nayna thank XLRI for making their dreams come true.

The two, part of the first batch of the postgraduate programme for certificate in entrepreneurship management (PGP-CEM) at the premier B-school, said the six-month course gave the much-needed fillip to their career. It instilled entrepreneurship skills in them.

“All this has been possible because of the XLRI course, which motivated us to start our own businesses. We are thankful to the XLRI management, especially the Entrepreneur Development Centre chairman, for designing such a programme, which imparts necessary operational training to prospective entrepreneurs,” Kavita told The Telegraph.

The steel city girl, who did her schooling from Kerala Samajam Model School and completed her BCom from Jamshedpur Women’s College, added: “I am happy with my decision to pursue this course. My outlet, Adarsh Collections — the first-of-its-kind in the city — is located on Pennar Road in Sakchi. Director of XLRI Father E. Abraham has agreed to inaugurate it on September 11,” she said.

Nayna Shroff, who can’t wait for her jewellery business to kick off, said: “I am confident of success as I have also completed a course on jewellery designing from Jadavpur University. The B-school programme further gave me an impetus to take forward my career as an entrepreneur,” she said.

Nayna and Kavita have company in several other students who also want to go their own way after completing the XLRI course.

For example, Sweta Agarwal is bullish on a franchisee of footwear and accessories while Piyush Khemka wants to establish a restaurant. Amit Khandelwal will join the family business of supplying house construction material, but has plans to expand overseas.

“The thought of opening a fast food restaurant in the city came to my mind after I joined the course. If all goes well, the restaurant will start in October,” Piyush said.

The Entrepreneur Development Centre at XLRI launched the non-residential PGP-CEM with half the seats reserved for candidates from Jharkhand in March this year. The first batch, comprising 50 students, will qualify this month. Their convocation will take place on September 29.

“We are happy that the students have come up with their own business plans. In fact, our course aims at producing entrepreneurs, who will create jobs for others rather than seeking jobs for themselves,” said Prabal Sen, chairperson, EDC, XLRI.

“We are trying to invite Jagdish Kapoor, the former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, to grace the occasion as the as chief guest,” he added.