Sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural resources & protect global ecosystem to support health and wellbeing. Going green and sustainable is not only beneficial for an individual, but it maximizes the benefits from the environment with focus on its long-term benefits. Viral Desai, Green Man and Entrepreneur from Surat, contributes to sustainability in various ways.
Early Years and Education
Viral started modelling in his early twenties and has many assignments to his credit. He has also worked as a manager in cyber cafe and he was very fond of football in his teen age, his dream was to be a football player, Later he made a switch from modelling to textiles, environment and sustainability.
Green Footsteps
First generation entrepreneur Viral Desai, was instrumental in starting Zenitex in 2003. This is a Surat based textile and garment facility. Zenitex has two branches namely ‘ Caressa ‘ and ‘Jianna’ and their main objective is to help finance projects that are involved in tree plantations. Zenitex has been adhering to a 360-degree sustainability work style as followed by multi-nationals and in line with international standards.
Green Magician on the Terrace
Viral is also the founder of ‘Hearts at Work Foundation‘ and is involved in many philanthropic activities. Anti-tobacco campaigns focusing on edutainment for children, rehabilitation of unemployed workers, and spreading awareness regarding Breast Cancer are some of his activities. He has planted and is taking care of more than 1, 50,000 trees in the South Gujarat region. Viral Desai and his team has conceptualized Udhna railway station in Surat based on a green model. He executed the project of transforming Udhna Railway Station to the ‘first green railway station of India. He has to his credit one of the few individuals who have been bestowed with awards and recognition for environmental protection. Viral has taken steps to increase the number of sparrows in the Surat, Gujarat, and has distributed more than thousands of nests. Simultaneously, he has also arranged a large number of nests, feeders, and water for sparrows at the Green Udhna Station. This indeed brings nature and conservation of nature within the boundaries of a railway station sending out a message to the world.
Eco Insights
Viral Desai is considered the pioneer in starting a trend of celebrating the Indian festival of Ganesha Chaturthi, using the environment friendly idol ‘Tree Ganesha’. Another successful initiative taken by Desai is the unique, first-in-the-world idea of green cars. This project is named ‘Green Crusaders’. This fleet of cars is covered in a special of eco-friendly artificial green grass to attract the attention of the people and at the same time sending out a subtle signal on environmental conservation.
Under the Green Belt
Entrepreneur, Ecopreneur, and Environmentalist Viral Desai’s work have been praised by several international publications and reputed books. Viral Desai’s initiatives, passion and dedication for social work have a special mention in the introduction of the prestigious book ‘marching with a Billion – Analyzing Narendra Modi’s Government at Mid-Term.’ This book is written by the well-known deputy editor of India Today, Mr. Uday Mahurkar. He has also published his memoir that comprises of his challenges and struggles. Aptly called ‘Diary of a Green Man’, in which he has written extensively about his journey and milestones that will inspire and motivate.
Ecofreaks Sustainable Success
Zenitex is listed in Limca Book Of Records, on the ‘World No Tobacco Day,’ on May 31 in 2012 . He has received Gujarat Gas Health & Safety Award 2008, 2009 & 2010, Outstanding Entrepreneur of the year Award, 2009 by The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, National Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship, 2010 presented by then President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil. Mr. Viral Desai was the first Surat based entrepreneur to win this award.
Best Industry Award (Quality & Environmental Protection), 2011 Awarded to Zenitex by the Government of Gujarat. National Energy Conservation Award by Ministry of Power, 2011 Awarded to Zenitex by the Government of India. Mr. Viral Desai was the youngest entrepreneur to receive this honour in the Energy Conservation Sector. They also won this award in 2012 & 2013, three times consecutively. He won The Rising Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2012 by Aby Planman Media at Dubai. NDTV Award, Small Giants of India, 2013, Zenitex won the Award out of 64,928 Companies Nominated in India.
Doctorate degree for Sustainability in Vietnam, 2014, Mr. Viral Desai is the only Business Person from India to receive this honour, for the Best CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative in Asia by Zenitex. The Mahatma Gandhi Sanman – House of Lords, UK, 2015, Mr. Viral Desai is recognized with the Top most international recognition, which is awarded to 20 Indians from around the globe who have made India shine. He won Make in India Emerging Entrepreneur Award, India Today, 2016. Zenitex Created History in Gujarat by winning the Best Industry Award (Quality & Environmental Protection), for the 4th time in 2018, and National Energy Conservation Award, for the 4th time in 2019. Mr. Viral Desai was awarded by Bharat Gaurav Award, 2019.
Future green breaths
He strongly believes that we should conserve and preserve nature by taking corrective actions wherever needed and make amends to past actions that has affected nature adversely. It is imperative that we hand over a planet that is better and greener to future generations. Educating them on taking the green initiative forward and have the ball rolling to every next generation. Its important we keep in mind that our development depends on the upliftment of nature. It will pay back in multiples as we care and conserve nature. Its not just a task but ought to be a revolution and mission and every contribution, however small will benefit the entire planet.
His future plans are not just for the next five years, but for the rest of his life. Viral Desai has dedicated himself to nature conservation and tree plantation. His goal is to give the next generation the gift of a very healthy and clean planet that helps green breaths to be a way of life in the future.
Green is indeed the future’s sheen!
