Despite the numerous challenges of rural India, Ajay preferred to see opportunities and inclusive growth, when he initiated HarVa XPO – a startup that focuses on “harnessing the value of rural India”. A spiritualist who left his cozy corporate existence to seek for higher truths, Ajay’s powerful talks push one to think beyond the norm, while bringing incisive perspectives on the dynamics of business in the country, especially at the grassroot level.
With degrees from BITS and Wharton as well as a diploma from Harvard, Ajay was on the fast track to a career in corporate strategy when he started working at Citibank. But feeling that something was missing, he soon left for a journey of self-discovery to the Himalayas, where he found his entrepreneurial streak. This led him to set up farms in Dehradun and Sohna, which gave him insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie in rural India – and HarVa was born.
The company, which primarily focuses on rural skill development, BPO (XPO), renewable energy, community-based farming and microfinance, has won several accolades over the years. In 2011, HarVa XPO entered the Limca Book of Records for being the first all-women rural BPO. HarVa is also a case study in London Business School, The Wharton School and Princeton University. The company offers a one-year Kautilya Fellowship that aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and experience in development economics.
Owing to his work, Ajay won Allevents’ ‘Making the World Happening Award 2017’. He is an ambassador for the Power of Youth initiative of Scotland. And has also authored books that delve into the meaning of life.
