Ajay Chaturvedi

Entrepreneur | Philosopher | Author | Educator

Ajay Chaturvedi is a distinguished entrepreneur, philosopher, and author recognised globally for his pioneering contributions to innovation, social entrepreneurship, and leadership. His career trajectory is marked by a deep commitment to creating impactful, sustainable change.

Ajay's journey began in investment banking, but his quest for deeper truths led him to the Himalayas, where a transformative encounter with his Guru in Kedarnath changed the course of his life. This spiritual awakening inspired him to write his first bestseller, Lost Wisdom of The Swastika, published by Times of India Publishing. The book has been adopted by several leading business schools and is now taught as a core subject of strategy under the title "Kullhad Economy," approved by the AICTE.

An alumnus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Ajay was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He also holds a Diploma in Global Leadership & Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

His academic and professional achievements are complemented by certification as a Jyotiṣa Paṇḍita, following five years of intensive study of Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa under Paṇḍita Sanjay Rath at the Devaguru Brihaspati Centre, a subsidiary of the Jagannath Centre.

Ajay currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Strategy at the Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak, and the International Management Institute, New Delhi. His academic roles allow him to share profound knowledge and insights with future leaders, while his entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive innovative ventures.

As the founder of HarVa XPO, the world’s first all-women rural BPO, Ajay made history by entering the Limca Book of Records in 2011. Under his leadership, HarVa has garnered numerous accolades, including the Manthan Chairman Excellence Award, SKOCH Financial Inclusion Award, and the TiE Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, among others. The company was also recognised as the third most innovative company in India by Fast Company magazine, following Tata Motors.

Ajay’s visionary work has earned him several prestigious honours, including the CNN IBN Youth Icon / Young Indian Leader of the Year in 2011 and the Entrepreneurship, Sustainability & Empowered Woman Award from the Rockefeller Foundation / United Nations in 2012. He was named an Amazing Global Indian by Times Now and one of Yahoo’s Unsung Heroes in 2012-13. In 2014, he was honoured as an Iconic Youth by Rotary International and selected as one of the 50 most creative leaders worldwide to attend the THNK School of Creative Leadership in Amsterdam. His alma mater, BITS Pilani, celebrated him as one of the 50 most inspiring alumni during their golden jubilee celebrations.

Driven by a deep-seated inclination for seeking truth and engaging in critical inquiry, Ajay's disillusionment with prevailing world narratives has led him to explore the nature of reality as described in the Vedas. Among his other endeavours, he is building a traditional Vedic village designed to address contemporary sustainability challenges. Ajay divides his time between Uttarakhand and Gurgaon, where he continues to push the boundaries of innovation, leadership, and philosophical inquiry. An avid reader, golfer, and traveler, his diverse interests complement his professional achievements.

For his contributions to society, Ajay was bestowed with the ‘Making the World Happening Award ’in 2017 by Allevents. He is also an ambassador for the Power of Youth initiative in Scotland and holds the unique distinction of being recognised as one of the four most innovative game changers by the Office of the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Skill Development and Employability in India.

X (Twitter): @ajaychat