60 seconds with… B S Nagesh

B S Nagesh, Founder, TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India). I always wanted to do something for the retail industry from

a non-profit perspective.

Education
I did Masters in Management Studies from Banaras Hindu University.

Achievements
During my journey from 1991-2011, I was fortunate to be involved in the setting up of Shoppers Stop and HyperCity and the takeover of Crossword chain of bookstores. I always enjoyed being a part of the retail fraternity, be it as an employee or as the Chairman of Retail Association of India.

I was voted by Business India as one of the top 50 managers in India who will influence the Indian business scenario in the 21st century. Ernst & Young nominated me for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2005 as one of the top 30 finalists. I became the first Asian to be inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame in 2008.

Currently working on
In 2011, we set up a public charitable trust called Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN) and a Section 25 company called TRRAIN Foundation. Both are working towards empowering people in retail by helping them through financial literacy, skilling, education and getting them pride through awards and celebrations.

The last three years have been truly rewarding in every sense. Nearly 887 Pankh trainees across 13 centres placed with 55 retailers; educated 1914 employees in 35 retail companies across 14 cities; 1 million associates across 400 brands celebrating Retail Employees' day along with  Boyner Group, Turkey celebrating the day across their 400+ stores and TRRAIN Retail Awards saw 3,500 entries from across 103 cities and 85 retailers.

Goals
TRRAIN plans to advocate and support the various causes of social security for retail associates, which would range from health camps, financial literacy awareness to wellness. My goal is to be able to contribute towards the betterment of the retail industry through its retail employees.