Event Management

Think different!

I did not align with what was going on in the market. I realised this while trying to market products. No one was interested in the products that were already available in the market. An idea struck me! I came up with novel ideas and products. I became the person who had latest trends in stock. In fact, we were bringing the trend to the city. From folding chairs to aluminium ones, we had them all. We even started working with five-star hotels and became the market trendsetters. It became my niche. Before others could realise it was a clever business strategy, I had moved so up high on the ladder that there was no one chasing me.

Following this work style, in 1979, my business was booming and I got married to Surinder Kaur on 2 May the same year. For the wedding ceremony, we travelled to Ludhiana, the headquarters of Namdhari2. A year later, we had our first child, a son, whom we named Dharampal. While celebrating the new family member, someone complimented me with, “people don’t have as many friends in the past 40 years as you have in two,” which acted like a catalyst for me. At that moment, I knew that to achieve something big, you must also dream big. The same year we changed the business concept and began a new company, Namdhari Tent House & Decorators, where we started organising events. This got me working with more vigour. Perhaps fate wanted to teach me a lesson in humility.

In 1981, I contracted jaundice. Around the same time, my business also suffered a major loss. I was blamed for some of it, breaking my heart. Jainder joined me in 1982 and together we worked hard to come out of it and decided to raise capital for my business. While we gained something, we also lost a lot. In 1986, one of our sisters got married and the very next year, she was widowed. What happened to her next is well imaginable. But I refused to be pinned down by anything. I brought my younger brother, Gurinder, to help him settle here. Together, we took the company to newer heights.

Although the early 80s were difficult, it was not loaded with sad memories only. We welcomed our daughter, Simran, in 1982 and another son, Maninder in 1985. I feel proud that they both studied Commerce from institutions of repute and then joined the business. Dharampal is married to Akhita and Maninder is married to Balwant. They all have helped us grow ever since. Simran is a successful engineer and happily married to Gurbachan Singh Khurana and is blessed with two children. Surinder and I are lucky to have our seven grandchildren chirping in our home.

In my 65 years of life, I have learned that nothing is impossible. If something seems impossible, don’t avoid it straightway or feel dejected. Instead, give your 100 percent to it and make it possible. I am glad we are the industry leaders today in the city. From a pocket money of Rs 50 to handing out salaries to at least 200 people, it has been a beautiful journey. I have received many awards, as if it is a habit now, and served many organisations. With Dharampal and Maninder taking charge now, I have time enough to serve the larger cause of life. Few of the non-profit organisations I have served are Namdhari Sangat of Hyderabad and Telangana Punjabi Sabha as President, All India Tent Dealers Welfare Associating as Vice Chairman and I am the Founder Chairman of Telangana Chamber of Event Industry. I also serve as the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Hyderabad and Telegnana.

I believe in continuous learning, the reason that I never say ‘no’ to anyone or anything new. And perhaps it also is the reason I received a letter of appreciation from the American President, George W Bush, when he attended the event at ISB, Hyderabad, in 2006 that I was organising. I was truly humbled to have received the CIT Navratna trophy by the former President of India, Hon’ble Shankar Dayal Sharma, in 1995.

Philosophies of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sadguru Jagjit Singh and uncle Sardar Sewa Singh continue to inspire me till date. I have learnt from them that you should not attach yourself to your past. If you don’t give away your old clothes, how will you make room for new clothes? Forgive and forget and at the same time, apologise whenever you are wrong. Focus on good, forget the rest.