We haven’t invested in our youth and our education system is based on academic learning rather than skilled based, market and job oriented learnings.
Our Youth should develop entrepreneur skills.
Mr. Abid Majeed Godil is a renowned businessman, an entrepreneur par excellence, philanthropist, and a patriotic person. As a Memon business acumen is in his blood but he has some personal qualities also which helped him to develop a brand and high repute in highly competitive business and economic circles. His achievements and contribution to country’s economy are acknowledged and received many acclaims and rewards. The News Lark Karachi had in interview with him and he was kind enough to spare his time for us.
The News Lark: Mr. Abid Majeed Sahib first of all we are highly thankful to you that you have spared for us few moments from your precious time. The News Lark is engaged in promoting Pakistan’s soft and positive image highlighting it success, potential and prospects for future. You are an excellent entrepreneur and definitely our new generation see towards people like you to provide guidance. We hope this interview of yours would be very fruitful for them.
Abid Majeed: Thank you very much Jawed Malik sahib, Dr. Syed Mehboob, Senior Research Editor, Ms. Shama Munshi, Director News, a very talented and valued team you have. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to exchange and share my success and experience with a reputed English daily newspaper and its team. The services rendered by the News Lark and its team are really praiseworthy specially highlighting Pakistan’s positive image and paving way for Pakistan’s strong relations with friendly countries and bringing business communities of Pakistan and friendly countries closer. I also appreciate the research based articles, reports and news published in your newspaper are really worth appreciating and high valued.
The News Lark: Please let us know about you and your background?
Abid Majeed: Alhamdulillah. I am post graduate an MBA ( Marketing) , and after completing my MBA, in 1998 , I joined my family based business of Textile with the BRAND name of MERCURY which was stablished established in 1967 by my FATHER MR. A MAJEED IBRAHIM GODIL on small based domestic industry but with the blessing of Allah & my father’s commitment and hard work , and later my own vision together made “MERCURY” a well-known and reputed name among the Top Brands of Pakistan in Textile sector manufacturing inner wear garments such as VEST BRIEF & SOCKS for men. In the year 1998 I started my business journey & joined MERCURY. I bow down my head to gratitude Almighty Allah with millions of thanks that by His grace and kind support I expanded our Brand in some new products such as T-SHIRT, woolen Garments, LEGGINGS & TIGHTS for female, Diabetic socks etc and they were very successful.
The News Lark. Please also tell us about your business.
Abid Majeed: Basically, I am running Textile manufacturing business producing innerwear garments for Men & women’s in Pakistan targeting MASS class of Pakistan providing it High quality products with Reasonable price competing stuff made abroad. We never compromised on quality of our product & always chosen High quality raw materials which made our product unbeatable Alhamdulillahn for the period spanning over almost six decades.
The News Lark: What difficulties you have faced in managing your business and how did you overcome them?
Abid Majeed: Initially, My Father Abdul Majeed Ibrahim Godil started his business with small capital & resources so he has limitations to expand it but with his consistency efforts & strong belief in Almighty Allah and hard work, he survived. When I joined Alhamdulillah, I got fair good base. So, I set my Goal to diversify my business in different segments & products. When you go for expansion hurdles & difficulties comes. It’s Natural. But we tried our best and overcome difficulties by the grace of Allah, our hard work , strong belief & courage to paid fruit.
The News Lark: How do you see current economic scenario and how Pakistan can overcome its difficulties?
Abid Majeed: AlhamdulliAllah, PAKISTAN is a nation with a large Population & full of natural resources & and having largest share of young population. Currently we are facing some difficulties in our economic sector but In my point of view with right leadership, clear vision & consistency in policies we can overcome them Insha Allah.
The News Lark: Since government and private sector are unable to generate enough employment for youth as every year about 800,000 graduates are passed out and many of them do not find job. The only viable solution to overcome this problem is to train youth for entrepreneurship. What is your opinion about this notion?
Abdi Majeed” Basically, as a nation we haven’t invested our resources to enhance skills of our youth & labour. We only focus on academic education rather than technical skills & technology-based education. We must guide our youth to be entrepreneurs rather go for Job. We must go for developing and facilitating for small cottages industry where economy can revive.
The News Lark: To develop entrepreneurship skills there is need to establish institutes which interact with Industry and business. How do you see this idea?
Abid Majeed. To create entrepreneurs, we must develop institutions where youth can be guided about various fields & new dimension of global requirements & what resources we have already in Pakistan explore new opportunities & how we can utilize our manpower in positive manner to go for industrial & agricultural revolution in Pakistan.
The News Lark: You have received number of awards. How do you see your success and whom would you give credit of these successes?
Abid Majeed: AlhamdulliAllah by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have been awarded several “MEGA AWARDS OF PAKISTAN”, including,” BRAND AWARD OF PAKISTAN 2010 by FORMER PRIME MINISTER MR YOUSUF RAZA GILANI SB. It is nothing but countless blessings of Almighty Allah, prayers of my parents and well wishers and reward of hardworking of my team.
The News Lark: Normally successful people do not have time to spend with their families. What about you?
Abid Majeed: AlhamdulliAllah I believe in balance life. Everybody has time but it depends on how one utilizes & prioritizes it. AlhamdulliAllah I am completely family person & enjoy quality time with my family including my partners, spouse & kids, though I am very much Social too, but I managed.
The News Lark: Who is your favourite personality?
Abid Majeed: ALHAMDULLIALLAH, as a Muslim we must follow our PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Peace be upon him) and look him as a “ROLE MODEL”.
The News Lark: What message would you like to give our youth?
Abid Majeed: AlhamdulliAllah my message to our youth is that
“Always be positive, never give up. Face failures with courage & one day u will be successful, with honesty, passion consistency & above all HARD WORK always PAYSOFF.
