Jagdip Singh Ahluwalia
Servant Leader
Founding Secretary and Executive Director | Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston
Houston, Texas, USA
Janam Bhumi:
New Delhi, India
Dharma Bhumi:
New Delhi, India
Karma Bhumi:
Houston, Texas, USA
Architect of Alliances and Belonging
The ‘Jagdip’ Factor: “Stepping beyond one’s comfort zone—and usual circles—is essential; each new group adds perspective and enriches one’s journey.”
THE MAN
Few possess the audacity to abandon a well-trodden path to forge their own. Jagdip Singh Ahluwalia is a rare example of this courage.
Born in New Delhi to parents, who migrated from erstwhile Punjab in Pakistan to post-partition India, Jagdip grew up in Ranchi in a home where education, integrity, and service were a way of life. His father, Indarjit Singh Ahluwalia, had sought new horizons in the UK before returning to establish an engineering manufacturing unit in Ranchi, and his spirit of exploration and determination became Jagdip’s most valued inheritance along with lessons that his parents repeated. “Be honest and do the right thing even when no one is watching has been my guiding principle,” he says.
Educated at St Xavier’s School, Ranchi, Jagdip earned a degree in Production Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra. He balanced his academic pursuits with a vibrant cultural life, leading the UNESCO club and taking part in debates. A keen student of theatre, he founded a theatre group with annual theatre competitions and coordinated a National School of Drama (NSD) workshop—the first non-NSD alumnus to do so. “I studied engineering to fulfil my father’s wish. Teaching and community building were my real passions,” he reflects. The seeds for his role as a community catalyst were sown in 1982 when, Rotary International sent him on a Group Study Exchange to Nebraska. He says, “That experience showed me how trust builds opportunity—and planted the seed for a life of bridge-building between communities and countries.”
THE JOURNEY
Jagdip worked with his father, learning the ropes of the business before moving to Maharashtra to establish his own group of companies. Call it the seven-year itch or his need to branch out on his own, Jagdip decided to move with his family to the US in 1993, choosing Houston as his base. Leveraging his knowledge of trade and procurement, he established a thriving enterprise in machine tools and industrial goods. He recalls, “When I came to the US, I learnt quickly that progress is a team sport. Every early ‘no’ refined my approach; every small ‘yes’ became a stepping stone.
Jagdip is a Life Member and Chartered Engineer of The Institution of Engineers (India). A dedicated Rotarian and former President of the Rotary Club of Memorial Spring Branch, he helped establish the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) in 1999 and has served as its Founding Secretary and serves currently as Executive Director for over two decades.
A champion of taking Houston global, Jagdip has also been the Chair of the Mayor’s International Trade Council for South Asia, and currently serves as the Second Vice President on the Houston District Export Council and is on the Diversity Summit Planning Committee. He has also pioneered medical research partnerships between MD Anderson Cancer Center and India’s leading cancer institute, Tata Memorial.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
At his core, Jagdip lives by the Sikh tenet of seva—a selfless service that inspires others to volunteer and uplift the community. “It is on us to show and teach our children our religious and cultural values,” he often reflects. Whether teaching at BIT Mesra, leading a Rotary exchange team from Texas to Tamil Nadu and Kerala, or mentoring young professionals in Houston, he has consistently created pathways that unify professional and cultural bonds across continents.
“Never forget those who helped you. Return the favour if possible and if not, then pay it forward.” Simple advice from his brother-in-law became his life mantra, shaping a career and personal philosophy rooted in gratitude and purpose.
As a practising Sikh, he wears his turban proudly, insisting on his full name Jagdip (not Jay) as a declaration of his identity. “Being free means being true to myself,” he says. “I take pride in my roots yet embrace the lessons of American life. It is in this duality that I have found strength.”
This duality has also been his creative muse, enabling him to achieve milestones of national significance. From spearheading the advocacy for United Airlines’ first non-stop flight from Newark to New Delhi in 2005 to mobilising life-saving ventilators and oxygen concentrators for India during the devastating second wave of COVID-19, Jagdip has been channelling his spirituality to effect real change in the world and the surrounding community.
A cheerleader for his home country, he recently organised a watch party—supported by IACC India Past President Kapil Kaul—for Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS mission, followed by an engaging student interaction with Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia. He is now working to bring Group Captain Shukla to the Jamshedpur school that hosted the event, weaving together space exploration and his own roots.
THE LEGACY
Family is his anchor. His wife, Damanjit, a web analyst at United Airlines, has been his steady partner in life. Their sons—Rohan, a haematologist–oncologist in California, and Aman, who works in government affairs for Harris County—are a source of immense pride. But his greatest joy comes from spending time with his grandchildren, Kareena, Kian, and Kaiden.
Over the years, he has been honoured with many accolades. Influential and recognised as he is, Jagdip believes that true impact comes from the strength of the communities he brings together, and that this is his defining moment of purpose. He says, “My north star: build bridges, remove friction, create wins. Through IACCGH and Rotary, I mentor first-time founders, support small minority-owned businesses, and convert introductions into investments and jobs.”
As United States Senator John Cornyn once remarked at an IACCGH event, Jagdip is “the glue of the chamber.” We would add that he is not only the force binding communities together but is also a living bridge between two nations.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“I still revel in memories of a simple childhood in Ranchi, where even a black-and-white TV was a community event. We lived with purpose. India’s present is propelled by cosmic ambition, reaching for Mars, and yet, in small towns, that warmth of community still survives. These two versions of Bharat live within me, as a source of nostalgia and pride.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“My turban, my name, and my language are non-negotiable identities. Beyond the passport, I believe you carry your values in how you treat people and serve your community, and in how you raise your children. These fundamental principles of ‘dharma’ transcend borders.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“My sons have grown up as Americans, but are rooted in Bharatiya ideals. It’s a hybrid yet seamless blend of American opportunity and Indian values. Watching them navigate the world with a sense of purpose and a deep respect for their roots makes me realise they’re not just inheritors of a culture; they are its new architects. This is the global, yet deeply grounded, face of the diaspora.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“I left India when it was on the cusp of globalisation. Today, I see a confident nation shaping technology, policy, and culture globally. To see Indian entrepreneurs and professionals thrive on the global stage, and knowing that my work has contributed to this transformation, fills me with immense pride and satisfaction.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I urge youth in India and abroad to seek mentors, be authentic, and let values guide ambition. Be global in ambition, local in empathy, get involved in your communities, volunteer, and build networks. Prepare relentlessly, then say yes to responsibility. Success is meaningful when tied to a purpose beyond yourself.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I never missed my mother’s homemade ‘parathas’.
NOW
A well-cooked, authentic Punjabi meal prepared by my wife still delights me most.
Music Tastes
THEN
Mukesh & Mohammad Rafi echoed through our transistor at home.
NOW
I play ‘Shabads’ (sacred Sikh verses) in the morning and Country Western music in my car when I drive.
Holiday Life
THEN
Holidays meant visiting family and touring India.
NOW
It’s about quick getaways with grandchildren and family reunions, and exploring the world.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Community activity and theatre rehearsals filled my evenings.
NOW
Mentoring youth, writing notes to self, and long morning walks keep me centred.
AKA
Founding Secretary & Executive Director, IACCGH | Executive Director, IACCGH
