Overview

On September 4, 2026, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) marked its 100‑year anniversary in Mumbai with the launch of the book Never Taking No for an Answer: India’s Indomitable Private Enterprise, edited by Dr Rajiv Kumar.

Event Details

The launch was accompanied by a fireside conversation organized by the ICC Young Leaders Forum (YLF) and moderated by Ankit Gupta, Chairperson of YLF Mumbai. The discussion brought together Dr Rajiv Kumar, Economist and former Vice‑Chairman of NITI Aayog, and Shri Ajay Piramal, Chairman of the Piramal Group.

Key Statements

  • Ajay Piramal stressed that while business models may evolve, core values such as integrity, humility, authenticity and risk‑taking must remain unchanged, and that young leaders learn best by example rather than lecture.
  • Rajiv Kumar observed that India has not yet achieved its target of a $5 trillion economy by 2024‑25; the current size is still below $4 trillion in dollar terms. He highlighted the need for innovation, research‑and‑development and technological breakthroughs to reach a projected $36 trillion contribution to the anticipated $200 trillion global economy by 2050.
  • Ankit Gupta highlighted the role of YLF in bringing young professionals into dialogue with senior business leaders, emphasizing the importance of learning from past entrepreneurs while challenging established practices.
  • Sangeeta Jain, Chair of ICC Maharashtra State Council, reiterated ICC’s mission to foster partnership between government and industry to accelerate India’s journey toward “Viksit Bharat”.

Book Synopsis

The edited volume contains nine essays tracing the evolution of Indian private enterprise from the freedom movement and the License Raj through liberalisation to the present global economic role. Contributors include Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sanjiv Goenka, Ajay Piramal, Naveen Jindal, Sangita Reddy, Bharat Hari Singhania, Harsh Neotia, Ratan Jindal and Omkar Goswami. The title reflects the resilience and innovative spirit of Indian private firms.

Organizational Background

The ICC Young Leaders Forum is the youth wing of the ICC, founded in 1925, and aims to connect young professionals with senior business leaders through workshops, networking, and mentorship programmes.