Thirty-years ago he cycled 30 km to deliver a consignment to Telco Works.

Today, he owns four luxurious cars.

Thirty-years ago he received a work order of Rs 9.75.

Today, the annual turnover of his two companies is more than Rs 30 crore.

When Bikash Mukherjee, 56, gave up his job as chief of quality at Sood Group of Companies (specialising in manufacturing of closed disforgings) to set up Auto Profiles Private Limited at Gamharia in 1973, little did he know that chutzpah would become his middle name.

“Setting up an industry without a business background was a tough job. Business was not in our blood. But I thought of taking a risk and that is how things started.”

Mukherjee left the Sood Group of Companies to set up his unit with a capital investment of Rs 15,000.

“The only force which motivated me to start a business venture was the economic condition of the family members of my colleagues who were retrenched by the company for their involvement in trade union activities,” he said.

All the harsh realities of a start-up that Mukherjee faced in his early life made him determined to work harder to achieve his goals.

The financial institutions, which refused to lend a single penny to start the business, are today ready to finance all his proposals.

“I started a small business venture to support myself and families of my colleagues. But, now it gives me immense satisfaction that the same venture is feeding a family of a 2,000-strong workforce.”

Mukherjee not only thinks of himself and his industry but also tries to help others to set up units, which generate employment. He has used the technical knowledge — he has a diploma in mechanical engineering — to help businessmen set up industries.

Mukherjee also offered help to set up four industries — Ajanta Composite Private Limited, Acropoly Glass Industries, Auto Sash and Apex Auto.

“I did not have capital but I was technically sound. Taking advantage of this, the proprietors of these four industries showed faith in me and started their business ventures and I am proud that all the four units are running successfully even after I left them,” he said.

Mukherjee has not lost his zeal for new business. He has major expansion plans for Oracle Auto Private Limited — set up in 2000 — which manufactures agriculture and construction equipment.

He has acquired a four-acre land at the Adityapur industrial area to set up a factory to produce small tractors, hand tillers and road sweepers in collaboration with Agria Hispania, a Spanish firm.

Mukherjee has not compromised on quality of his product. He believes that ethics and moral values are the keys to success in business. He was given an international award for quality and ethics in Geneva in 1993.

“My workers are like my family members. How can I think of troubling them,” he said. Mukherjee is a quiet contributor to social causes as well. He had donated the first product of Oracle Auto (a front load dumper) for relief operation when the earthquake devastated Gujarat.

Former governor Prabhat Kumar had donated the front load dumper to the Gujarat government for relief operations on behalf of Jharkhand.

According to Mukherjee, the boom in the automobile industry has helped him to compete in the free market.

Mukherjee’s engineer son Biplab has begun to assist him in his business. He also intends to bring his daughter Moumita Mukherjee, into the business once she completes her Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

Mukherjee said no one in his family before him tried to set up an industry. Shifting from a well-secured job to the uncertainty of business was a great challenge. His problem was compounded by paucity of funds. “But I compensated the lack of funds with hard work. I believe there is no substitute to hard work. I always tell my juniors that if a person is honest and hardworking, he/she will reap the benefits,” the industrialist added. said.

Mukherjee bagged the prestigious President’s Award in 1987 for his contribution to the industrial development in the region. His is also the recipient of the “Best Supplier” award from Tata Cummins.

Mukherjee’s soaring sporting spirit has taken him to the Himalayas — he has trekked about 3,500 km.

He has been associated with Mountain Rovers for a long time.

“Trekking is my passion. Whenever I am free I pack my bags and head for the mountains. I feel at peace with myself whenever I visit a hilly area. The Himalayas is of course a personal favourite,” the industrialist said. Mukherjee is also associated with a number of voluntary organisations and clubs.

He is a member of Jharkhand Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association and president of Bengal Club, which is one of the oldest clubs in the city.

Mukherjee is at present battling to get Bengali recognised as the second official language of the state. He has organised several campaigns to garner support. The drives have received an overwhelming response.