Shubhra Krishan - The Original Muffler Man

Contents

T HEOriginal Muffler Man traces the inspirational journey of an individual from the remote town of Kasur (now in the Punjab region of Pakistan) to building an institution of global synergy. This is not a primer on how to build wealth, but an uplifting example of how to survive and thrive for almost a century while keeping ethics intact. We hope this book will act as a roadmap for entrepreneurs to pace their own professional journeys.

The story weaves its way around the hardships an individual goes through, and how the tough times inspire him to aspire even higher. Life is like a series of crests and troughs in the ocean. The challenge is to ride them out, reach the beautiful shore and build a ship so strong that our future generations can sail through with ease.

A special feature on Jainism in the book also explains how deep faith enables one to counter all challenges with maturity and perseverance.

A special thanks to Sandeep Kankariya, who has been instrumental in shaping the presentation of the book. My gratitude to Sathya Saran and Shubhra Krishan, who dived deep into the history of the Jain family and chronicled its fascinating journey.

This masterpiece is dedicated to all the present and future generations of entrepreneurs and managers, in the hope that they will find among its pages ideas, insights and inspiration to guide them, both in terms of conducting the self and business.

The company, Jain Amar, today is a testimony to the foundations laid down by the visionary, Sh Kasturi Lal Ji. The generations coming forward must strive to ensure that our hard-earned reputation for ethics and quality is maintained with each passing decade.

Akhil Jain

J AIN Amar is a family-owned clothing and accessories company. Founded in 1939 by Shri Chunni Lal Jain, they initially made simple mens accessories, such as woollen scarves and caps. Fast forward to the 21st century, and the companys complexion and scale have changed beyond belief! From the day they decided to diversify in the 1980s, their graph began to rise.

Today, Jain Amar provides affordable fast fashion to women, men, teenagers and children. Presented through three labels and counting, their products are sold in over 1,000 stores across three continents. From forecasting fashion trends to delivering cutting-edge styles, from retaining existing customers to acquiring new ones, this is one success story that deserves to be traced back to its modest roots.

The story you are about to read has been put together using quotes from Kasturi Lal Jain, his family members, friends and staff. The interviews with them were conducted in October 2020 at the Jain family home, their factory in Ludhiana and their office in Gurugram.

How It All Began

G REAT things, they say, have humble beginnings.

The remarkable story of Kasturi Lal Duggar Jain began more than 90 years ago in the small, sleepy town of Kasur in present-day Pakistan.

The second-youngest son of Chunni Lal Jain and Draupadi Devi, Kasturi Lal Duggar Jain arrived into the world in 1930. Theirs was, as was the norm back in those days, a fairly large family composed of six boys and two girls. Kasturi Lals siblings were Amarnath, Prakash Chand, Rikhab Das, Gyan Chand, Jagdish, Shanti and Sheela.

Before we set foot into the mans journey, let us get to know the place where he lived, the life that he was born into and the simple events that set him on course.

Kasur is located some 32 kilometres from Lahore and about 137 kilometres from Ludhiana. The word Kasur means palace in Arabic. Interestingly, some historians say the name stems from Kush, the son of Lord Rama, who founded it. Be that as it may, Kasur lies to the south of Lahore, in the Pakistani province of Punjab. The city serves as the headquarters of Kasur district and is the 24th largest city in Pakistan by population. It is also known for being the burial place of the 17th-century Sufi poet Bulleh Shah.

But we are talking about the 1930s, when nothing much ever happened in Kasur. Of course, the rest of India was in the throes of turmoil. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the struggle for Independence was steadily approaching its peak. Passive resistance was the form of protest chosen by the freedom fighters. They would often sit silently outside city halls, letting the brute forces of the British rain cane lashes on them until they fell unconscious.

Kasur, meanwhile, remained just thata town called Kasur where daily life was as basic as could be. Those times were unimaginable in their modesty for the present generation. Good and safe roads were scarce in colonial India. Bullock carts were the favoured mode of transport.

Clothing was simpledhoti-kurta and turban for the men and cotton saris for the women. Men pursued a small bunch of trades: you had blacksmiths, grocers, vegetable vendors, carpenters and such.

The place was dominated by the Khwajas, a well-polished Muslim community. A small cluster of Jains lived together in a separate area, but things were cordial between them and the Muslims. From time to time, they would exchange sweets on occasions such as weddings in the family.

Kasturi Lals parents, both unschooled, ran a small grocery shop in Kasur. It fetched them a small amount, just enough to keep body and soul together. With each passing year, it became tougher and tougher to run a family of ten on their small earnings. Getting their children a good education was a wish, but all they could manage was to amass for them some knowledge of Hindi and Urdu.

The Great Depression that started in the US and caused a global economic slowdown had left a legacy of hunger and misery, making things even tougher. But we all know that storms leave sunshine in their wake, and often blessings come disguised as catastrophe.

Already, things had begun to look upIndia was steadily building a strong railway network, and this single infrastructural element would have a far-reaching impact on the life of the country and its people.

One fine day, someone from Kasurwe dont know whodecided to fight the indigence. He boarded a train from Kasur and arrived in Ludhiana. In all probability, this was a person from a humble family engaged in a basic profession, much like Chunni Lal Jain. Word must have travelled that the faraway pastures of the budding town were a brighter shade of green.

Ludhiana, located in the heart of modern-day Punjab, was a deep food bowl, filled to the brim with power-packed wheat. Its solid agrarian economy not only fed its own people but also became a key resource for battle-weary troops. Remember, World War II was already at our doorstep, and the kind of churning that must have been happening during those years can only be imagined.

Stepping into this atmosphere charged with both promise and dejection must have been exciting and intimidating in equal parts. Lets take a moment to visualise this unknown persons eyes widening as he stepped onto the platform at Ludhiana railway station, boggled at the sight of so many human beings at once.

But of course, the same determination that had propelled him to a new land also fuelled his journey onward. We shall never know of his trials and tribulations, but one thing is for sure: this person did find the towns pastures to be greener than those he had left behind.