Devender Singh indiaprime Jaipur, India | Jagriti Yatra, the country’s landmark 15-day train journey for aspiring entrepreneurs and change-makers, arrived in Jaipur with a resounding tribute: the selection of Jaipur Rugs and its visionary Founder & Chairman, Nand Kishore Chaudhary (NKC), as one of its flagship Role Models.
This year’s Yatra brings together 525 participants from 27 states and union territories, hailing from over 150 districts, and embodies remarkable diversity—40% of Yatris are women, 70% are from Tier 2 & 3 India, and 15% represent tribal communities. The initiative continues to fuel its core mission: nurturing the next generation of Indian nation-buildersJagriti Yatra
Jaipur Rugs: Building Business on Human Values
Jaipur Rugs is celebrated for its commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, proving that human potential outweighs academic credentials. Founded in 1978 by Nand Kishore Chaudhary with just two looms, the company has blossomed into India’s largest network of artisans—over 40,000 strong, with 90% women—utilizing ancestral craftsmanship to drive prosperity in rural communities.
“Jagriti Yatra reflects the India I have always believed in—where every human being, regardless of background, holds immense potential,” said Mr. Chaudhary. “If we lead with love and trust, transformation becomes inevitable. I am honoured to share our journey with young minds shaping our nation’s future.”
Yatra’s Selection Philosophy
Jagriti Yatra’s rigorous selection process emphasizes passion, creativity, and problem-solving ability, judging applicants through essays, interviews, and global expert review. The Yatra’s ethos—‘Abilities, Not Marksheets’—resonates deeply with Jaipur Rugs’ own people-centric approach.
best short haircuts for women over 30 in 2025
Meaningful Engagements and Inspiration
During the Jaipur halt, participants engaged in conversations with Mr. Chaudhary and Jaipur Rugs’ Managing Director, Yogesh Chaudhary, discussing:
Empowerment and trust in rural artisans,
Blending social impact with business scale,
The acclaimed Manchaha movement,
Leadership grounded in love and compassion,
Jaipur Rugs’ creative and global evolution.
Yogesh Chaudhary highlighted, “Jagriti Yatra represents the spirit of young India—bold, curious, and purpose-driven. It’s a privilege to show how stories from rural India can inspire global change.”
Jagriti Yatra COO Chinmay Vadnere added, “For thousands of Yatris, NKC’s story is a beacon of compassionate entrepreneurship in action. We are honoured to have Jaipur Rugs as a role model institution this year.”
About Jagriti Yatra
Jagriti Yatra is a unique non-profit initiative that organizes a transformative 15-day, 8000-km train journey across India to inspire and empower youth to become entrepreneurs. Running annually since 2008, it brings together over 500 young changemakers, called “Yatris,” from Tier 2 and Tier 3 districts, small towns, and rural regions (termed Middle India), as well as some international participants. The Yatra stops at multiple cities and innovation hubs, enabling participants to meet inspiring social entrepreneurs and grassroots leaders who have created impactful enterprises and social movements. The program focuses on experiential learning through interaction, workshops, and business plan development, aiming to build a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in India’s heartland. Jagriti Yatra has impacted more than 9,000 youth over the years and has become the world’s largest entrepreneurial train journey, fostering inclusive growth and nation-building through enterprise.
About Jaipur Rugs
Jaipur Rugs is a purpose-driven, family enterprise dedicated to protecting ancestral skills and bridging rural craftsmanship with the global market. With more than 7,000 looms and sales in over 90 countries, it elevates traditional handmade carpets into contemporary works of art, supporting thousands of rural families across India.
“Let goodness, fairness and, most importantly, love, prevail in business; profits will inevitably follow.”
~ N.K. Chaudhary
