Vijay Jaiswal : Pioneering Sustainable Logistics Through Exemplary Leadership & Forward-Thinking Approach
Vijay Jaiswal
Director
In a recent interview with us, Vijay shared insights into his professional journey, future goals, and ambitions, while also reflecting on his educational experiences at IIT Kanpur.
Please briefly share your professional background and key achievements. Additionally, what drives you daily as you reflect on your career milestones?
I earned a BE in Electronics and Communications from Agra University in 2001 and a Master’s in Design from IIT Kanpur in 2004. My career began as an assistant manager at Eicher Trucks and Motors, and I spent 12 years in the Automotive Sector, primarily working on industrial design in leadership roles, overseeing design projects for Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment. Many of these projects led to market launches, with my work featured on a host of products for JCB and Eicher. Seeking a strategic shift, I pursued an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, graduating in 2017. I joined the Telangana state government as Director for Automotive and E-Mobility, where I developed the state's EV policy framework and spearheaded various e-Mobility initiatives, including India's first fast public charging infrastructure and electric bus deployment under the FAME scheme.
I also facilitated investments in a greenfield Electric Bus manu-facturing unit near Hyderabad. In 2020, I moved to Pune to lead the Future Mobility Program under the Tech Partnership agreement between Indian and UK Government. After a brief stint at Accenture in advanced robotics and E-mobility, I found my calling in the Development Sector as Director for India at Smart Freight Centre, an international nonprofit focused on freight decarbonization and E-truck adoption, working closely with the Logistics Industry, Policy offices and other key stakeholders of the Indian Freight Ecosystem.
How did IIT Kanpur shape your career and entrepreneurial spirit? What memorable moments from the campus do you cherish?
My time at IIT Kanpur was life-changing in a multitude of ways. In two years, I deeply imbibed the essence of living life with a clear purpose and balance it with personal growth. Being surrounded by brilliant minds who enjoyed learning gave me the confidence to pursue a passion-driven career. The experience also offered opportunities to connect with others, express creativity, and engage in activities beyond academics.
At IIT Kanpur, a host of extracurricular events like musical nights, movie shows, along with diverse club activities in music, astronomy, and travel, as well as the Antaragni cultural festival enriched my experience and highlighted the value of interests beyond academics in striking a balance while pursuing professional excellence. Collaborating with students from various departments on projects like promotional campaigns and T-shirt design provided valuable cross-learning experiences that significantly impacted my personal and professional development.
What is your leadership approach, and what principles and values guide your leadership style?
I believe leadership is a natural trait that evolves as you grow in your career. Leadership role involves the significant responsibility of guiding and inspiring the team members to think beyond their limitations and show them how to achieve their goals. A leader is one who really makes people believe in beyond routine ambitions and also can demonstrate the ways to fulfil them,
I cherish the creative opportunities & diverse collaborations that sha-ped my professional path
How did IIT Kanpur shape your career and entrepreneurial spirit? What memorable moments from the campus do you cherish?
My time at IIT Kanpur was life-changing in a multitude of ways. In two years, I deeply imbibed the essence of living life with a clear purpose and balance it with personal growth. Being surrounded by brilliant minds who enjoyed learning gave me the confidence to pursue a passion-driven career. The experience also offered opportunities to connect with others, express creativity, and engage in activities beyond academics.
At IIT Kanpur, a host of extracurricular events like musical nights, movie shows, along with diverse club activities in music, astronomy, and travel, as well as the Antaragni cultural festival enriched my experience and highlighted the value of interests beyond academics in striking a balance while pursuing professional excellence. Collaborating with students from various departments on projects like promotional campaigns and T-shirt design provided valuable cross-learning experiences that significantly impacted my personal and professional development.
What is your leadership approach, and what principles and values guide your leadership style?
I believe leadership is a natural trait that evolves as you grow in your career. Leadership role involves the significant responsibility of guiding and inspiring the team members to think beyond their limitations and show them how to achieve their goals. A leader is one who really makes people believe in beyond routine ambitions and also can demonstrate the ways to fulfil them,
more often in a non-conventional way rather than sticking to traditional methods. I believe a leader is able to inspire and motivate others by effortlessly being an exemplary role model. True leadership involves prioritizing the well-being of the environment and people around them, striving to make a positive impact without being overly concerned about personal recognition.
What is the next chapter you’re excited to embark on in your professional journey?
My ambition is to ensure a steady and robust growth for Smart Freight Centre in India in the coming years, which I have been working with since last year. I am looking forward to establishing it widely in India over the next 5 to 10 years. Its goal is to decarbonize freight and we are exploring various initiatives beginning with electric truck adoption programs and focusing on electric transport. While we presently are focused on road freight and freight electrification, we will aim to expand our work on the broader theme of freight decarbonization, looking at all modes of transport as well as a broader spectrum of clean fuel and vehicle techno-logies, as is the case with our work in Europe and other geographies. We would also like to expand our work on emissions accounting to other aspects of CO2 emission reduction, including operational efficiency improvements and driver skill enhancement.
Given your extensive industry experience, what advice would you offer to upcoming industry leaders?
My advice to the upcoming leaders would be to face any challenges with grit and determination, while also building upon the aspirations, ambitions and strengths of the people who look up to you as a leader and seemingly impossible targets will appear achievable. My next appeal to future leaders will be given the climatic conditions that are facing worsened aftereffects demanding actions at the utmost speed. I will urge them to step up in their positions to establish a sustainable growth paradigm and work to achieve it, as a base obligation for our future generations. Let us not miss on the opportunity to leverage the impact and inclusivity potential while we fulfill our professional commitments as a business leader.
Vijay Jaiswal, Director, Smart Freight Centre
Vijay Jaiswal is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the logistics and freight industry. His strategic insights and leadership acumen have been shaped by a distinguished career, marked by numerous accomplishments and contributions to the field.
What is the next chapter you’re excited to embark on in your professional journey?
My ambition is to ensure a steady and robust growth for Smart Freight Centre in India in the coming years, which I have been working with since last year. I am looking forward to establishing it widely in India over the next 5 to 10 years. Its goal is to decarbonize freight and we are exploring various initiatives beginning with electric truck adoption programs and focusing on electric transport. While we presently are focused on road freight and freight electrification, we will aim to expand our work on the broader theme of freight decarbonization, looking at all modes of transport as well as a broader spectrum of clean fuel and vehicle techno-logies, as is the case with our work in Europe and other geographies. We would also like to expand our work on emissions accounting to other aspects of CO2 emission reduction, including operational efficiency improvements and driver skill enhancement.
Given your extensive industry experience, what advice would you offer to upcoming industry leaders?
My advice to the upcoming leaders would be to face any challenges with grit and determination, while also building upon the aspirations, ambitions and strengths of the people who look up to you as a leader and seemingly impossible targets will appear achievable. My next appeal to future leaders will be given the climatic conditions that are facing worsened aftereffects demanding actions at the utmost speed. I will urge them to step up in their positions to establish a sustainable growth paradigm and work to achieve it, as a base obligation for our future generations. Let us not miss on the opportunity to leverage the impact and inclusivity potential while we fulfill our professional commitments as a business leader.
Vijay Jaiswal, Director, Smart Freight Centre
Vijay Jaiswal is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the logistics and freight industry. His strategic insights and leadership acumen have been shaped by a distinguished career, marked by numerous accomplishments and contributions to the field.