Mr Ashok Sawhney

    Ashok Sawhney, Chairman Sawhney Foundation

    Ashok Sawhney is an entrepreneur, industry leader, opinion maker, philanthropist, poet and author.

    He pioneered manufacturing of wrist watch dials in India and today his group company manufactures world class dials that are exported. AAA Infraheight Private Limited was conceived by him to develop quality affordable housing and other infrastructure facilities. Having made a mark in manufacturing and infrastructure development, he ventured into creating Swiss Military a value for money international lifestyle brand. Brands’ popularity transcends genders, cultures and communities in over thirty countries. It is now a listed company on the Stock exchange. He envisions use of technology to create products that facilitate good business practices, enhance productivity and profitability and has established a venture to make quality RIFD enabled e-seals within the country.

    Ashok Sawhney believes that wealth and intellect are to be shared to make this world a better place. His philosophy is to ‘give while alive’ for afterlife the wealth no longer belongs to you! To take forward his lifetime endeavours to lessen the burdens of the less fortunate through empathy, compassion and empowerment and to actualise his philanthropic zeal, he established Sawhney Foundation a not for profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO). Under the Indian Trust Act,1882.

    He has visualized Foundation committed to facilitate a just and equitable society by transforming lives of most vulnerable who continue to be isolated and uncared for.

    Under the auspices of Sawhney Foundation a Vridhashram has been established for those who have no one to take care of at Rangpuri Pahari, New Delhi. It provides free care, boarding and lodging to over eighty men and women.

    In furtherance of his vision to empower underserved youth to transform their lives, Sawhney Foundation is implementing various programs in the areas of education, training & skill building. To that end, state of the art infrastructure is serving as Sawhney Foundation Multi-Skill Centre. Career oriented and community literacy programs are being conducted in partnership with NIIT Foundation.

    Suman Sawhney Healthcare Centre is another initiative to promote wellness. It is an endeavour to provide free OPD and diagnostic investigations facility to the below poverty line citizens.

    Many other initiatives to have tangible social impact are already in the pipeline.

    Ashok Sawhney has been supportive of quality education, character building and nurturing of youth. To that end, he has been associated with DAV Society, Guru Teg Bhadur International Trust and Dr. Zakir Hussain Trust of Aligarh Muslim University. He has promoted communal harmony through literary and community interactions at various fora. He has also been associated with Mahatma Gandhi International Trust and Adeeb International Sahir Ludhianvi Cultural Academy, Punjab.

    He is proficient in Seven languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, English and French. His repertory besides risk taking entrepreneurship, extends to writing Urdu poetry, propagating Indian values and culture through his creative books and promoting social responsibility among community.

    As an author, his works range from poetry, spreading understanding of Indian customs and beliefs, sharing of life experiences and humour. He compiled a montage of poetic gems of the Masters of Urdu and added his own couplets and poems mirroring his life’s philosophy in a book titled, ‘Surbhi Suman’. It has been published both in Urdu and Hindi. Many queries about life, living and beliefs have been answered in an extensively-researched book, ‘Kya, Kyun aur Kaisse.’ English version of the same entitled ‘Why’ has also published and well received. Another book, ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ captures emotions and facets of human existence. His versatility and range of interests came to the fore yet again in a book of jokes titled, ‘Humour Being.’ For Hindi readers humour in everyday life can be enjoyed in his book ‘Kuch Pal Hansi Ke Sang.’ In all he has thirteen published books which have been widely acclaimed.

    His services in the fields of entrepreneurship and literature have been recognised by way of many prestigious awards being conferred on him. Notable few are mentioned: –

    • Udyog Patra by Institute of Trade and Industrial Development 2003.
    •  Adeeb International Award 2008.
    • Lifetime Achievement Award by Trade Post and ‘Samay Bharti’ in 2012.
    • Samay Ratna in 2013 for his services as the President of All India Watch Association.
    • Globe Platinum Award with ‘Leader Par Excellence in Global Leadership’ by World Business Conclave- Hong Kong 2016.
    • His creation Swiss Military was awarded Globe Platinum Award in the Setting Trends beyond Generations category.
    • CSR Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 by CSR Leadership summit.