KOCHI: sitting at the head office of Geojit Financial Services in Kochi, C J George, one of the pioneers in the stock-broking industry in India, says he became an entrepreneur by accident. “My interests were in academics.
While I was pursuing my doctorate in finance, I accidentally started this company. Once I was in it, I tried hard to grow the company. There’s no short cut to success. Only hard work and determination will give you sustainable success.”
Geojit was founded as a partnership firm by George and Ranajit Kanjilal in 1987. Later, in 1993, Ranajit Kanjilal retired from the firm. The company celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year.
George hails from Pothanikkadu village in Ernakulam district. An early riser, he’s up by 5 am and sets out for a one-hour morning walk. He reads at least a dozen news papers – both English and Malayalam. He also finds time to read business journals and magazines.
“I have been very much interested in reading since my school days. Reading helped me a lot in my professional life and also the business. During weekends, I find time to read books. When I get a new book I just navigate through first 15 pages of the book. Then I decide should I complete it or not. Now I am reading The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore by Manu S Pillai and Changampuzha Park by Malayalam writer Sethu,” says George.
He likes to spend time with his family (wife Shiny, sons Jones and Jyothis) as often as he can. His other interest is watching comedy shows on television. “I watch movies on flights,” he says. The family is planning a north Indian vacation soon.
Travelling is another liking of George. He admires Paris the most. “It has an open culture. Though it is the capital of fashion, it is intellectually vibrant. On the streets of Paris, we can see high-level discussions going on various subjects,” he says.
On being asked about ‘new-generation’ business leaders, George says that there are some who have a passion for what they do. “But, many are becoming entrepreneurs with the objective of selling the company. I have some serious doubts about it,” he signs off.