With sheer dedication and hard work, Musaib Farooq Bhat a young independent entrepreneur and renowned name in the construction, infrastructural, Manufacturing and IT sector and Managing Director, Chinar Group of Companies Srinagar Kashmir has made his mark. Bhat in an interview shares his experiences in construction and allied business with RK, Excerpts
How actually you came in business?
I was earlier not interested in Business, on occasions I used to go along with my father on the works sites where I develop interests within a time span.Then became an occasional manger as I used to look after works and other operations in absence of my father. This continues till take over all my business setup.. It was during the introduction of railway on Kashmir which boosted my interests as our company constructed whole railway line valley.
Did you face any challenges while starting your business?
When a man starts a journey he faces hurdles as well as challenges and one should have will, wits and hard work to overcome challenges. I expanded my business from Chinar group of companies to It ventures, Digital Logic, Roller Flour Mills, manufacturing of Steel Tubular Poles and other allied works. The challenges motivate me to spread off my business. I could have easily done my father’s business and earned my living out of it. But I took up the challenge of setting Chinar Group of Companies having enormous business ventures under one banner. Since then we are growing and expanding our presence day by day.
Do you find competition in your trade?
Business can’t flourish without competition and one should take competition as challenge to take lead in the market. It is competition which incites quality in the business. We are constructing attractive and qualitative complexes in state keeping competition in view. We want to have more opportunities to express our business standard. We are encouraging educated youth to come forward and opt for construction and manufacturing sector of business.
Do you feel construction companies get affected in last years of turmoil?
Turmoil and conflict always affected every aspect of society and Business was not seprate.so far as construction sector of business in concerned it flourishes in Jammu and reaches lower level in valley due to bad situation. From 1990 to 2003 valley witness feeble mega constructional works. It was after 2003 that construction mega structures, Railway lines, Flyovers and six lane roads starts getting momentum. Simultaneously during that period I started other businesses also. But in 2002 when the normalcy returned to valley, I shifted my focus to construction and manufacturing again.
Do you plan to come up with some shopping malls?
Chinar Group has recently started a shopping mall which with the grace of Allah has proved to be the best mall in the Srinagar city. Chinar Commercial Complex, Residency Road, is one of the biggest mal in city. We are constructing malls and mega complexes many parts of city and valley. The aim of establishing malls and complexes in the city and other parts of valley to provide platform to the young entrepreneurs to start their business. I really want to see young entrepreneurs doing well in their respective fields and I always pray for them.
Why have added Information Technology sector in your business?
It is need of time, if one aspires to be on top one should work in all sectors allied to one’s main business. Construction is my main business and from last ten years I feel enormous need of computer and information technology which forced me make leap into the IT sector and we grow. From IT we enter Digital world and established Digital Logic — a business based on digital world. It was due to this idea that Chinar Group of companies was credited with ambitious project of ADHAR-making of Unique Identity Cards (UIC)in the state. IT and Digital world as enormous scope and we leading in the field we submitted proposal at national and International level and we hope projects will be approved in our favour being among the giant IT companies in the state.Being a young entrepreneur what is your advice to youngsters. My younger brethren should know that t takes some to make a leap, similarly it takes so time to grow. Business sector especially Construction and manufacturing is very profitable and commendable business. It takes time to establish business. Think positive and work hard is the mantra to be successful in life. My advice to them is that has faith in Allah and be patient. They will be successful Insha-Allah.
Your future plans?
We are venturing into the technology, manufacturing and some other sectors. But it would be premature to talk about such things, though we lead in digital sector having credit of receiving government multi Corer ADHAR project of preparing Unique Identity Cards (UID) all over valley except Anantnag district. ADHAR project was a landmark in our business and done it with any hitch. Chinar Group of Companies comprises of includes Allied Construction Company, Chinar Construction Company, Chinar IT ventures, Digital Logic, Chinar Roller Flour Mills, Chinar Steels Tubular Poles and Chinar Commercial Complex