The 10th-Pass Entrepreneur Who Built One Of Kashmir’s Leading Manufacturing Enterprises
Sajad Ahmad Chaloo’s Aisha Group, born from observing disposable plate demand, now runs multiple units across the Valley, proving vision trumps formal degrees
Dr Syed Javed Iqbal Kamil
In an age when academic degrees and professional certifications are often treated as the sole gateways to success, the story of Mr Sajad Ahmad Chaloo of Naid Booni, Rainawari, Srinagar, stands as a powerful reminder that vision, perseverance and inner resolve can transcend all formal limitations. Having pursued education up to only the 10th class, he has built Aisha Group, a diversified manufacturing enterprise that today stands among the leading locally owned industrial ventures of Kashmir.
Mr Sajad’s journey was not born in comfort or privilege. Like thousands of young men in Kashmir, he began his working life as a salesman on a meagre monthly salary, moving from shop to shop, negotiating orders, delivering goods and learning the market from the ground up. Those long days and modest earnings did not discourage him; instead, they sharpened his understanding of consumer demand, pricing behaviour and supply chains. Quietly, he nurtured a single powerful ambition — to build something of his own, something enduring.
During these years of struggle, he closely observed the changing consumption patterns of Kashmir, especially the rapidly increasing use of disposable plates, cups, bowls, spoons, paper bags, napkins, mouthfreshner and catering materials for weddings, hotels, religious gatherings and community events. What others saw as routine demand, he recognised as a powerful manufacturing opportunity.
With limited capital but exceptional determination, he entered the manufacturing sector and learned every aspect of the business through hands-on involvement — operating machines, sourcing raw materials, managing labour and dealing with clients. This practical learning led to the establishment of a modern manufacturing unit at Khanmuh, Srinagar, branded as “Chaloo”, which today functions as the flagship unit of Aisha Group for disposable products.
Building on the success of “Chaloo”, Mr Sajad expanded his vision. He established two additional manufacturing units under the Aisha brand, each focused on other product categories, thereby transforming Aisha Group from a single-unit venture into a multi-unit industrial enterprise serving diverse market needs.
Today, Aisha Group’s products reach customers across Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Kupwara, Shopian and Ganderbal, making it one of the most dependable regional suppliers. The enterprise provides livelihoods to many local workers and supports numerous families through transport, packaging and distribution — a meaningful contribution to Kashmir’s economic fabric.
What truly distinguishes Mr Sajad is his global outlook. Despite lacking formal business education, he travelled to China, Turkey and other industrial centres, where he visited manufacturing facilities and interacted with international entrepreneurs. These experiences exposed him to advanced machinery, quality-control systems and efficient production models, all of which he successfully adapted to local conditions in Kashmir.
The growth of Aisha Group has not been without obstacles. Political instability, logistics disruptions, rising costs and intense competition tested the enterprise repeatedly. Yet Mr Sajad remained guided by a disciplined philosophy: reinvest continuously, modernise machinery, expand distribution and never compromise on quality.
His journey is not just a personal success story — it is a replicable model for Kashmir’s economic revival. Small-scale manufacturing, youth employment, disciplined reinvestment and local value creation can become powerful drivers of regional development.
For policymakers, his story delivers a clear message: economic stability will not emerge from schemes alone. It will come from empowering grassroots entrepreneurs with access to credit, industrial land, electricity, logistics and skill-based training.
For the youth of Kashmir, Mr Sajad’s life offers a timeless lesson: You do not need elite degrees to build a great future — you need courage, patience and a relentless will to grow.
From a low-paid salesman to the founder of a multi-unit manufacturing group, Aisha Group today stands as living proof that Kashmir’s youth can build a world-class industry on their own soil.
“Start small, learn every day, reinvest every rupee, and never let humble beginnings limit big dreams.”
The writer is a Senior Academic Administrator & Education Policy Analyst
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