Srinagar: After achieving success with multiple ventures in Australia, valley-born entrepreneur Maninderjit Kala alias Mannu Kala is now shifting his focus back to his homeland, Kashmir. He is on a mission to utilise his experience building successful business in sectors including healthcare, technology, and sustainable tourism.
“Kashmir holds immense untapped potential. It has abundant natural resources, a skilled and ambitious youth population, and a strategic geographic position. What’s often lacking is technical know-how, access to global networks, and the confidence that international exposure can bring,” Kala said.
Known for his unconventional approach and entrepreneurial resilience, Kala is targeting sectors with the potential to create sustainable livelihoods and year-round employment. “My goal is to build ventures that can support hundreds or even thousands of local jobs. I want Kashmiri youth to envision a future right here, without feeling compelled to leave like I once did,” he said.
Kala’s focus includes health-tech, specialized agriculture for exports, and digital education, which areas he sees as both market-relevant and well-suited to the region’s strengths. More than a business, his return to Kashmir is deeply personal. “This place shaped me in ways I’m still understanding. The values, resilience, and emphasis on learning that I gained here formed the bedrock of my journey abroad. It’s time to give back,” he said.A philanthropist, Kala is committed to building sustainable business models that address real market needs while fostering economic inclusion.
Kala believes his entrepreneurial background gives him the right tools to navigate the region’s unique landscape. “At its core, entrepreneurship is about problem-solving. That mindset—built over years in global markets—is exactly what’s needed here.
”Looking ahead, Kala envisions a Kashmir where innovation thrives and young people can craft their own career paths through entrepreneurship. “I want to help create an ecosystem where local talent is empowered with skills, mentorship, and investment. Where start-ups emerge from Srinagar or Anantnag just as easily as from Silicon Valley,” he said.
Kala’s mission is clear: to inspire a new generation of Kashmiri entrepreneurs to build, innovate, and stay rooted.“If I can prove that global success can be achieved without leaving your home behind, that would be my proudest legacy.” Noteworthy, Kala’s name has won the prestigious Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in Australia in 2023 and 2024. His name also figured among the Top Australia Entrepreneurs of the Year.
