(Utkarsh Patel)
A remarkable figure from Surat and well known among the city’s business community Jayesh Desai is the founder and chairman of the Rajhans Desai-Jain Group. A visionary entrepreneur he began with a small edible-oil unit in Surat and has built the vast Rajhans empire which today spans multiple sectors and generates a turnover of hundreds of crores. His journey truly embodies the group’s slogan “Wings of Happiness”.
Jayesh Desai was born in the small village of Parvadi in Bhavnagar district into a family of modest means. After completing primary education he moved to the dream city of Mumbai and took up a job. However he soon returned to his village to help his father in the family business. It was during this period that he experienced the harsh realities of life yet he possessed an extraordinary passion for hard work. Eventually he moved to Surat where with limited capital he launched a new venture. From that modest beginning his wings of success have continued to spread without pause.
In 1996 Jayesh Desai established the Rajhans Group with a small edible-oil unit that produced filtered groundnut and cottonseed oil. Thanks to his far-sighted vision and sharp business acumen the group expanded rapidly. Today the Rajhans Group is actively engaged in real estate (Rajhans Realty) cinemas (Rajhans Cinemas with more than 160 screens) hospitality confectionery (Schmitten Chocolates) textiles and several other sectors. The group has completed construction of over 30 million square feet of space and its customers remain highly satisfied.
His achievements have been widely recognised. He has featured in Forbes India’s “Indian Business Legends” (2021) and “India’s 100 Richest” (2022). He has also received numerous prestigious awards including ET Inspiring Leader Gujarat Ratna and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Jayesh Desai’s family life is exceptionally harmonious. He shares a close and affectionate bond with his brother Vijay Desai who is actively involved in the group. The entire family is often seen together at public events. Recently they attended the wedding of Sachin Tendulkar’s son as a united family. Jayesh Desai regards his employees as part of the “Rajhans Family” and treats them accordingly.
He is a patient enthusiastic optimistic and calculated risk-taker. His special talent lies in identifying business opportunities at the right time and implementing them with precision. He firmly believes that it is not the leader alone but teamwork that delivers results. He places customer satisfaction at the centre of everything and gives paramount importance to the principle of “customer happiness through delightful products and services.”
It is particularly noteworthy that Jayesh Desai holds deep respect and devotion for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He and his family have had the honour of meeting the Prime Minister – an experience they describe as “a moment of pride for the entire Rajhans Family.” He fully supports Prime Minister Modi’s vision of development.
By balancing wealth prosperity and achievement with humanity Jayesh Desai’s life message serves as an inspiring example for the youth of Gujarat: with self-confidence hard work calculated courage and a humane approach any goal can be achieved.
(The writer is a prominent businessman, social worker and founder of khabarchhe.com)
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