JK plans professional courses

Business school and nursing college will come up in Bhopal

JK Industries Ltd has plans to open a business school and a nursing college in Bhopal.

The company has a vibrant presence in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Bhopal, since 1938, when it started producing and exporting hardboards made of straw and waste material.

The institutions will come up in an area lying vacant near JK-owned "Puttha Mill" (straw mill) in the Chhola locality. The company had its huge JK Building in the area, which has recently been disposed of. The property still houses the State Bank of India's regional office.

"We have submitted a proposal to the state government in this regard, and will design a plan after some time," Raghupati Singhania, vice-chairman and managing director of JK Industries, told Business Standard here.

Singhania was in the town to receive the Udyog Ratna Award, given to him by the PHDCCI here on Monday.

The company also has a presence in the Banmore Industrial area in the Morena district, where it produces tyres and tyre cords.

Business chambers, particularly the PHDCCI, had last year highlighted the requirement of nurses in various parts of the world, and growth in the sector.

"The institute, if it takes shape, will not only offer quality training to nurses but also job-oriented skill development opportunities to the youth," an expert said.

The state has very few nursing colleges, and the prime among them is Kasturba Nursing College in the Bhel township in Bhopal.

Though Singhania was reluctant to disclose details, he said, "The state needs quality management institutions. Now I cannot say much about my plan, investment size, etc., but it will be a business school. A nursing college will also take shape as well in the premises. Talks are on with the state government."

He further said, "Madhya Pradesh is our preferred destination for investment, because of its locational advantage, and an investor-friendly government, despite power shortages and poor infrastructure. The state is a better option than other states."

JK Industries has its Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute in Rajasthan, recognised by the Union government, and it offers various courses, including postgraduate diploma courses, in rubber technology and polymer science.

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A new horizon

• The institutions will come up in an area lying vacant near JK-owned 'Puttha Mill' (straw mill) in the Chhola locality
• The institute will not only offer quality training to nurses but also job-oriented skill development opportunities to the youth
• Madhya Pradesh has been rated as the preferred destination for investment, because of its locational advantage, and an investor-friendly government, despite power shortages and poor infrastructure