The success story of Rajesh Chaplot, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) who transformed his humble beginnings in the streets of Udaipur into a flourishing corporate footprint across Africa, has earned prestigious international recognition. Forbes India, a leading global business publication, highlighted Chaplot's extraordinary life journey and his innovative Save Time movement on page 81 of its August edition. This feature underscores his remarkable achievements as a Chartered Accountant, corporate executive, and visionary leader. His inclusion in the magazine marks a moment of immense pride for his hometown Udaipur as well as the entire state of Rajasthan.
From Udaipur Roots to Ugandan Corporate Excellence
Born and brought up in Udaipur, Rajesh Chaplot qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in the 1989 batch. He initiated his professional career in Udaipur before relocating to the East African nation of Uganda in 1996. Over a span of nearly 27 years ending in 2023, he established landmark achievements across international business, community initiatives, and organizational leadership in Uganda. Demonstrating rare acumen in governance and fiscal strategy, Chaplot served for six consecutive years as an advisory consultant to the President of Uganda. Today, he continues to steer global enterprises in key executive roles, serving as a Director at Allied Graphic System and Kamyo TechEdge Services, alongside his appointment as the Managing Director of Mangalam Africa Limited.
Prestigious National and International Accolades
Chaplot's dedication to economic growth, ethical leadership, and diaspora welfare has been acknowledged through several highest-tier national and international honours. In 2019, he was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India, which stands as the highest distinction awarded to non-resident Indians for exceptional service. Further elevating his global standing, the President of Uganda bestowed upon him the Golden Jubilee Award and Uganda's highest civilian honour in 2020. Additionally, his contributions to the global accounting community were recognized in 2018 by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which presented him with the International Leader Award.
The 'Save Time' Initiative and Literary Endeavors
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Chaplot initiated the worldwide Save Time campaign to address a critical yet frequently ignored aspect of modern life. He points out that while global discussions routinely center on environmental conservation, water preservation, and capital management, very little emphasis is placed on preserving time, the single most irreplaceable human asset. Driven by the philosophy that lost time can never be recovered, Chaplot launched this awareness movement, whose widespread social impact caught the attention of Forbes India. To further guide younger generations toward efficient time management, he is preparing to publish an instructional book dedicated to the subject.
In addition to his work on time awareness, Chaplot has actively contributed to children's literature with a focus on moral education. His published book, Nandu Aur Dadu, focuses on instilling traditional moral principles and family values in young children amidst contemporary challenges. The book received formal recognition from Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, who awarded Chaplot an official letter of appreciation. Chaplot is currently authoring his upcoming title Namaste Africa alongside his second volume on time strategies. Despite extending his family and enterprise network from Uganda to London, he remains deeply rooted in his native soil of Udaipur.
