He is a charismatic leader who is all set to have an exciting year ahead as the President of Junior Chamber International, during the tenure he wants to empower and instill values in youth to make them a valuable citizen and responsible human being.

You joined JCI Triprayar in 1999, now after over a decade, what are the changes the organization has come about?

Over the last decade the core philosophy remains the same and only the strategies evolve over time. Even today, the basic objective stands as, giving developmental objectives to young people to create positive change. Earlier importance of leadership development and self-improvement among the members has been now shifted to groom them as more active citizens of the world. JCI became a partner of UN Millennium Development Goals in 2000 and has become more focused in undertaking the projects world over. Training area has remained a very strong part of the organization always. Recently, we started giving more thrust to update skills of the existing trainers and their evaluation. JCI has decided to put more efforts in its branding during the last decade and it has a common theme all over the world ‘Be Better’. Even JCI logo and title have been changed and it has been given more prominence to use and spread them worldwide.

So what I feel is that JCI has grown more as a powerful brand, undertaking more number of common projects all across the globe since the beginning of the new millennium.

As an organization for youth empowerment, tell us what are the challenges faced by young people today?

In my view lack of leadership, focus and responsibility are the main challenges faced by young people today. Among these, I believe lack of responsibility is the crucial one. Today, the youngsters are not actively and zealously involving in the affairs and problems of the society they live in. This is a big challenge and also a critical social issue. We are bound to deal with and indulge in our society. JCI inculcate in its members, the social responsibility they require in their own community and also to this world.

How do you encourage young minds to join JCI?

The core philosophy of JCI is to inspire confidence, unite communities, enhance equal opportunities, establish justice, embrace cultural diversity, and create sustainable impact. This philosophy attracts and encourages young minds to join JCI. We provide a platform for youngsters, where they can practically develop their talents to face the challenges of the world and also to fulfill their responsibilities. JCI’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons program that recognizes 10 young people across the globe for their outstanding contributions in different fields is a unique project that encourages individuals to excel more.

During the official visits I am planning to have special interactive face-to-face discussions with members of various youth organizations and youngsters and I am sure I can encourage them to join JCI.

I have already decided to launch a new recognition program to our JCI members and they will be motivated to attract new members.

Can you please tell us more about your maxim for this year ‘Unite to Impact’…

We cannot expect the government or the business houses to provide solutions to all the challenges we face in society today. But, we hope with the maxim ‘Unite to Impact’, JCI members, can bring all these sectors of people under one umbrella and provide a sustainable impact to all the challenges. JCI members are the young active citizens of this world, who have the potential and energy to lead the world, to peace and prosperity, as they have been exercising since its foundation.

As the International President of JCI what is your vision?

My vision is to position JCI as an organization that unites all sectors of the society to create a sustainable impact and to make sure those youngsters all around the globe contribute to the advancement of humanity.

What are the difference you have seen in JCI India and the others world over?

Compared to other countries, in India, female memberships are less and also very few hold major positions. Other difference is in age of the members; the average membership age is less in other countries compared to the membership age in India. In India members join in their late 20s or 30s as against in other countries they join at the close of their teens. So in our country JCI members have only short period of membership to hold any elected positions.

You have been an active member of JCI for a long time, personally how has the organization moulded you?

As a normal person I was busy with my academics and after that I was fully involved in my business life. When I joined JCI, it gave me the confidence to be a better person in each walk of my life and thoroughly and positively improved my hidden talents. It also made me a more socially committed person.

You are also the CEO of Hotel Dreamland in your hometown, how do you effectively manage your profession and activities related to JCI?

In 2002 when I participated in one of the JCI training programs called ABLE (Academy of Business Leadership and Excellence) I got the message of how effectively we can train our Co-workers to work efficiently without our physical presence. The basic strategy behind that is to develop a system, which will work out all routine functions of the business without our presence. So with that strategy, I am able to manage my profession and my social work simultaneously without any difficulties.