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HarperCollins India presents ‘Just Aspire: Notes on Technology, Entrepreneurship and the Future by Ajai Chowdhry’
NEW DELHI, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —
“When I left Jabalpur, the small town where I grew up, to pursue a career, I could not have dreamt that I would find myself at the vanguard of pathbreaking revolutions that would transform India.”
One of the six original co-founders of HCL, Ajai Chowdhry shares the inspiring story of how his dreams and aspirations propelled him from a small town to the forefront of pathbreaking revolutions that transformed India.
Harper Business | Biography, Memoir and True Story | Non-fiction
Hardback | Rs 599
Available wherever books are sold | Releasing 14th March 2023
“Ajai is a highly acknowledged leader, who has been the foremost evangelist for making India an Electronics Product Nation. This book is a must for all budding entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone who is aspiring to reach greater heights. Ajai has delivered a captivating account of his life’s journey, interspersed with important lessons for achieving success.”
—Vinod Dham, father of the Pentium chip
ABOUT THE BOOK
Just Aspire is the story of a man from a sleepy town called Jabalpur who went on to become a co-founder of HCL, the Indian technology behemoth.
Padma Bhushan recipient, mentor to numerous startups, a lighthouse to countless entrepreneurs — Ajai Chowdhry has worn many hats. His life follows a fascinating trajectory, from small-town boy to international business leader. This biography is a collection of his favourite memories — snapshots in time that served as an inspiration in his own inspiring life.
From his interactions with visionaries like Ray Kurzweil, Bill Gates, CK Prahalad, and leading HCL to be an IT powerhouse, Ajai has lived an interesting life. A life built on aspiration and hardwork, here’s an inspirational memoir that will stay with readers for a long time.
Author, Ajai Chowdhry, says, “This book is the result of a conversation I had with my grandson. One day, he asked me to tell him stories from my childhood, when I was his age. The anecdotes that I shared with him made me reflect on my life and the pivotal events that led me to where I am today. I decided that I wanted to share my experiences not only with my grandchildren, but with a wider audience. I wanted to inspire them to aspire to be whatever they want to be and to stress the importance of dreaming big. I strongly believe that everyone can achieve success, regardless of their background or circumstances. I hope that my book will instil a sense of hope and purpose in those who read it.”
Executive Editor, Sachin Sharma, says, “Just Aspire is the story of dreams, aspirations, and achievements. Ajai proves that nothing is impossible if a group of likeminded individuals come together and dare to aspire. In his parlance, A>R, that is, aspiration is greater than resources. I cannot agree more. A brilliant read.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ajai Chowdhry, one of the six founding members of HCL, began an exciting journey more than four decades ago, with a dream to give India its very own microcomputer. The pioneers of digital electronics in India, they scripted three major milestones of the IT industry: the PC revolution, mobile telephony and systems integration. Ajai, regarded as the ‘father of Indian hardware’, has been a relentless advocate of self-sufficiency in electronics. He has served, and continues to serve, on several government committees working towards making India the electronics hub of the world.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
‘Pathbreaking, passionate, persevering and purposeful—Ajai has woven a delightful tapestry of personal experience and professional achievement. Just Aspire is a portrayal of him being in the forefront of creating and building an institution, by spotting opportunities, developing and nurturing relationships, and taking risks with great conviction and commitment. Ajai is amongst the many visionaries who continue to take forward the dream of building India through both technological and entrepreneurial excellence, by service and philanthropy. An inspiring read for everyone with national pride who believes in sound family values and lifelong learning.’
—M.M. Murugappan, former chairman, Murugappa Group
I have nothing but the deepest admiration for Ajai’s passion and commitment to the cause of electronics hardware in India. He has never given up. His recipe is impressively uncluttered and I cannot but completely agree with it. The stars are lining up for us in this space but to win, we need to focus on skills, capital, conducive policies and all stakeholders coming together to create the Renaissance for manufacturing which the country critically needs. This book is an absolute must read.
— Saurabh Srivastava, cofounder, NASSCOM and Indian Angel Network
It’s truly remarkable to read about Ajai’s achievements and contributions to the Indian IT industry. His ideas transformed not only the company where he worked for over three decades but also the Indian IT and hardware industries. His life-story is inspirational. His passion and drive to achieve and learn are evident in the book. It’s a warm and fun book, which will inspire many young minds to strive for excellence.
—Neelam Dhawan, former managing director, HP
Infused with experience, learnings and memories, Just Aspire captures Ajai’s wealth of wisdom, his sense of curiosity and his towering leadership that make him one of the most brilliant professionals and coaches of our country. He is a huge believer in the India story and his biggest asset is his conviction and capability to convert dreams into reality. Ajai seamlessly blends the personal with the professional and has been my guru who taught me to be bold, to be a learner and to be relevant … I owe it to Ajai. Read this book and learn from one of the best.
—C.P. Gurnani, CEO and managing director, Tech Mahindra
Ajai’s journey from Jabalpur to be the cofounder of HCL as also chairman of several reputed institutions has been astoundingly remarkable. The best thing about Just Aspire is that it is provocative and written in a bold way— truly a book of transformation and guidance.
— Harshavardhan Neotia, chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group
About HarperCollins India
HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India is now the recipient of five Publisher of the Year Awards – In 2021 and 2015 at the Publishing Next Industry Awards, and in 2021, 2018 and 2016 at Tata Literature Live. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.
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News Wire
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Celebrating community, creativity, and self-expression through a limited-edition drop inspired by India’s most vibrant subcultures.
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jameson Connects joins forces with India’s largest sneaker and streetwear retailer, Crepdog Crew, to launch a one-of-a-kind limited-edition capsule that celebrates the spirit of counterculture in India. The collaboration is being launched under Jameson Connects – Jam Studio, a culture and community-driven collaborative space, which brings together creative minds to help explore a fresh artistic landscape.
Rooted in the dynamic street and creative scenes of India, Jameson Connects and Crepdog Crew have come together to spotlight authentic voices and celebrate self-expression from the ground up. Inspired by bomber jacket patch culture, the drop reinterprets the spirit of individuality and identity through a distinctive camo-style shacket with interchangeable patches, designed to be a canvas for personal storytelling. Complementing the shacket are a tote bag and mug, completing a bold and collectible capsule collection.
Ayush Kalra pays homage to the tattoo scene, Vijaya Aswani captures the dynamic energy of skateboarding, Jayesh Joshi channels the freedom of the biking community, and Siddhartha Iyer brings alive the rhythm and soul of music.
Anchit Kapil, Co-founder and CEO, Crepdog Crew, said, “Subcultures shape the streets long before trends catch up. At Crepdog Crew, we’ve always built spaces—physical and creative—for the community to thrive. This shacket is our way of putting that truth on fabric—a celebration of individuality, identity, and the scenes that give cities their soul. With Jameson Connects, we’ve created more than a drop—we’ve created a canvas for the culture.”
Mo Joshi, Co-founder of Azadi Records, Culture partner for Jameson Connects, said, “Real culture grows where community thrives. Jameson Connects has always been about championing grassroots voices and giving artists a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This collaboration with Crepdog Crew isn’t just about merch—it’s about movement.”
The drop celebrates the power of creative collaboration through art, music, and community-first experiences.
About Jameson Connects
Powered by Jameson Ginger Ale, Jameson Connects is a community-first platform for India’s creative voices. Through verticals like Jam Pad, Jam Stage, Jam Studio, and Jam Radio, it brings together culture-shaping individuals and subcultures to collaborate, co-create, and connect.
About Azadi Records
Azadi Records is a progressive Indian music label spotlighting thought-provoking hip-hop across regional languages and subcultures. Since 2017, it has given voice to the unheard, pushing the boundaries of what Indian music can be.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Shefali Bhatia, PR Pundit Havas Red | shefali.bhatia@prpundithavasred.com | +91 9821821032
Sanjana Jhawar, PR Pundit Havas Red | sanjana.jhawar@prpundithavasred.com | +91 7023080670
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/jameson-connects–crepdog-crew-celebrate-subcultures-with-limited-edition-capsule-302472881.html
News Wire
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Celebrating community, creativity, and self-expression through a limited-edition drop inspired by India’s most vibrant subcultures.
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jameson Connects joins forces with India’s largest sneaker and streetwear retailer, Crepdog Crew, to launch a one-of-a-kind limited-edition capsule that celebrates the spirit of counterculture in India. The collaboration is being launched under Jameson Connects – Jam Studio, a culture and community-driven collaborative space, which brings together creative minds to help explore a fresh artistic landscape.
Rooted in the dynamic street and creative scenes of India, Jameson Connects and Crepdog Crew have come together to spotlight authentic voices and celebrate self-expression from the ground up. Inspired by bomber jacket patch culture, the drop reinterprets the spirit of individuality and identity through a distinctive camo-style shacket with interchangeable patches, designed to be a canvas for personal storytelling. Complementing the shacket are a tote bag and mug, completing a bold and collectible capsule collection.
Ayush Kalra pays homage to the tattoo scene, Vijaya Aswani captures the dynamic energy of skateboarding, Jayesh Joshi channels the freedom of the biking community, and Siddhartha Iyer brings alive the rhythm and soul of music.
Anchit Kapil, Co-founder and CEO, Crepdog Crew, said, “Subcultures shape the streets long before trends catch up. At Crepdog Crew, we’ve always built spaces—physical and creative—for the community to thrive. This shacket is our way of putting that truth on fabric—a celebration of individuality, identity, and the scenes that give cities their soul. With Jameson Connects, we’ve created more than a drop—we’ve created a canvas for the culture.”
Mo Joshi, Co-founder of Azadi Records, Culture partner for Jameson Connects, said, “Real culture grows where community thrives. Jameson Connects has always been about championing grassroots voices and giving artists a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This collaboration with Crepdog Crew isn’t just about merch—it’s about movement.”
The drop celebrates the power of creative collaboration through art, music, and community-first experiences.
About Jameson Connects
Powered by Jameson Ginger Ale, Jameson Connects is a community-first platform for India’s creative voices. Through verticals like Jam Pad, Jam Stage, Jam Studio, and Jam Radio, it brings together culture-shaping individuals and subcultures to collaborate, co-create, and connect.
About Azadi Records
Azadi Records is a progressive Indian music label spotlighting thought-provoking hip-hop across regional languages and subcultures. Since 2017, it has given voice to the unheard, pushing the boundaries of what Indian music can be.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Shefali Bhatia, PR Pundit Havas Red | shefali.bhatia@prpundithavasred.com | +91 9821821032
Sanjana Jhawar, PR Pundit Havas Red | sanjana.jhawar@prpundithavasred.com | +91 7023080670
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/jameson-connects–crepdog-crew-celebrate-subcultures-with-limited-edition-capsule-302472881.html
News Wire
Jameson Connects grooves to Grammy winner Anderson .Paak in Mumbai
An intimate celebration of music, culture, and community, also featured Seedhe Maut and Shekhinah
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Music lovers in Mumbai were treated to an unforgettable evening as Jameson Connects brought its signature global experience, Distilled Sounds, to India’s cultural capital with an electrifying night of rhythm, soul, and connection. Headlining the showcase was none other than Grammy Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee, who took over Famous Studios, Mumbai, for a high-voltage, electrifying up-close performance that brought unmatched energy to this thrilling chapter of Jameson Connects.
DJ Pee .Wee, the dynamic alter ego of Anderson .Paak, delivered a high-energy DJ set that showcased his impeccable taste and versatility behind the console. Known for his genre-blending sound that merges hip-hop, soul, funk, and R&B, Anderson .Paak additionally treated audiences to an intimate live performance towards the end, captivating them with his rich musicality and vibrant presence.
Adding to the evening’s vibrant soundscape was a duo who need little introduction — Seedhe Maut. Fresh off the release of their eighth project DL91 FM, the genre-defying Delhi-based icons brought their razor-sharp lyrics and explosive live energy. Joining them was South African powerhouse Shekhinah, celebrated for her soulful vocals and signature fusion of R&B and pop. Together, they formed a thrilling trifecta of artistry that embodies Jameson’s spirit of fearless creativity and community.
With each edition, Jameson Connects continues to raise the bar in crafting immersive cultural experiences that merge music, community, and creativity. Known for spotlighting boundary-breaking talent from around the world while championing local voices, the platform has become a space where global artistry meets homegrown expression. The upcoming Mumbai showcase is set to be no different-an intimate yet high-impact gathering that celebrates the spirit of connection, the power of live performance, and the magic that unfolds when diverse creative energies come together under one roof.
More than just a music event, Jameson Connects delivered a curated celebration of culture, community, and connection. From eclectic pop-ups by homegrown brands to vibrant F&B experiences and the thoughtfully curated zones, every element is designed to spark conversations and camaraderie.
Stay tuned for what’s next from Jameson Connects.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/jameson_alwaysintomixin?igsh=eGszaTBsNTV5N2Yx
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Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Jameson Connects grooves to Grammy winner Anderson .Paak in Mumbai
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