Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Agnihotri: The spirit behind the Georgia Indo-US Chamber of Commerce

Sonia Chopra

For most people who leave their homeland for greener pastures abroad, attaining professional success consumes so much time that almost everything else is relegated to the background. But Anurag 'Ani' Agnihotri is different.

For Agnihotri, an international sales manager with SoftPros Inc, one of the leading software and systems integrating companies in south-east America, life goes beyond making money. One of the luminaries of Atlanta's Indian community, Agnihotri is credited with the launch of the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.

But the story does not stop there. For Agnihotri community service is as important a part of his life as is his job. Says he: "To be able to lead the community into enhancing itself is as important as establishing myself."

A dream he cherished ever since he arrived in the US, Agnihotri was catapulted to fame in 1997 when he organised the Festival of India in Atlanta: which still attracts 10,000 participants annually.

"Georgia is the kind of place where the community scrambles to help each other. With social and professional unity, it was imperative we channelise it in some way."

"All of us need to give back to our communities. We are here (on earth) to give and take," Agnihotri said.

And that is how the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce was born. This non-profit organisation promotes trade, business, commercial and professional relations between India and the US.

"GIACC was formed in recognition of the need for promoting social, cultural, educational and business activities among the South Asian and mainstream communities in the United States and South Asia," Agnihotri said.

"Membership benefits include networking with companies and experts from various trade sectors, particularly, in high-tech field. GIACC will also provide a wide range of information and business resources for those wanting to do business, enter into joint ventures or invest in India."

Only a year old and having 159 members, it plays a small but significant role in strengthening ties between Georgia and India.

Born in New Delhi, Agnihotri spent a chunk of his childhood in Bhilai, where his father Inder Dutt Agnihotri worked at the steel plant.

Having a penchant for table tennis, Agnihotri, for a while, considered turning a pro. But since the game was not financially rewarding he joined the Jawaharlal Nehru University and got an engineering degree in agriculture with the hope of engaging in farming on his family land in Punjab.

But the political situation of the state at that time (the eighties) forced a change of plan and he accepted a position with Godrej Soaps before moving on to work at the Oriental Bank of Commerce.

In 1991, he enrolled with the Kansas State University, US, to pursue a master's degree in management. But after two semesters, he transferred to Augusta State University, Atlanta.

After he graduated he joined Capricorn Systems, which later changed to Softpros Inc.

He lives in Atlanta with his wife Kiran and seven-year-old daughter Devika.

Agnihotri says he will continue to live his life based on the mottto: "Whatever you can do or dream, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power."

Money

Business News

Tell us what you think of this report