| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 24 Oct 2015 | Asia Samachar |
Sikh entrepreneur and accomplished kirtani Jagdeesh Singh won a Malaysian entrepreneur award for a pearl business that started as a part time venture while he was in Sabah in 1998.
In 2001, Jagdeesh took the venture one notch up when he set up a company to manufacture, wholesale and retail genuine pearls and natural shell jewelry and gifts under the Borneo Pearls trademark.
In that year, it opened its first retail outlet in Suria KLCC as a kiosk concept. Since then, Borneo Pearls has grown to 20 outlets in major malls and airports offering gifts.
His company, Takbir Sukma Sdn Bhd, has also supported the handicapped community of Janda Baik, Pahang, by providing simple assembly employment since 2006.
The efforts were recognised with the SME100 Fast Moving Companies Award for the retail section in Malaysia. The award, organised by the SME & Entrepreneurship Magazine, was presented by Malaysia’s Deputy Science Technology and Innovation minister Abu Bakar Mohamad Diahat at gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (23 Oct 2015).
The annual award aims to identify and recognise Asia’s fast moving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on growth (turnover, profit and market share) and resilience (best practices, sustainability and vision).
“This award is an inspiration to us all at Borneo Pearls. I hope it will carry some weight when we scout our future location,” he tells Asia Samachar.
Jagdeesh, 41, is a serial entrepreneur. He is also the main partner in three restaurants: Tasty Chapathi and Tasty Flavours in Kuala Lumpur and Bangle Bali Nusa Dua Restaurant in Bali, Indonesia.
Jagdeesh grew up in the midst of the sanggat. Both his father and his grandfather were granthis. His father, Jaswant Singh, became a granthi at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul after retiring from the army.
Jagdeesh’s grandfather, Giani Bachan Singh, was a granthi at Gurdwara Sahib High Street and also Gurdwara Sahib Jalan Parlimen. All these gurdwaras are located in Kuala Lumpur.
Jagdeesh, who plays the harmonium and the tabla, is a founder of the Gurmat Sangeet Academy based at Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. The academy is managed by Chamkaur Singh, who is also involved in the Borneo Pearls business.
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