Despite their vital role in society, and the contributions made in all areas of endeavor, women are still treated as second-class citizens, denied the opportunity to better themselves through education in all but a few narrow fields.

Moreover, in some cases, women become the ‘property’ of their husbands, and are limited in how and where they can socialise outside the home, if at all. In short, even at the end of the first decade of the 21st Century, the situation remains bleak for hundreds of millions of women throughout the world.

As with the children and others living in poverty his Foundation supports, Mr Kohli is a passionate advocate of the enhancement of the rights of women to both improve their educational horizons, and also make further strides in the workplace.

“Whatever people say there’s still a ‘glass ceiling ‘for women in the business world” says Kohli. “I only discriminate on talent and ability, something which every person possesses, a quality which only needs the right environment and stimulation in which to express itself.”

“Another major goal with the Tej Kohli Foundation is to encourage women to embrace these educational opportunities, as although their educational ‘poverty’ may not be visible to the naked eye, it’s just as devastating to their chances of living a fulfiling life…”

Dubai, November 15, 2009:

Thanks to the fading recession, investors across the world are flocking to Dubai real estate market, considering the city’s relative stability in terms of prices and affordable housing, especially in the today’s highly volatile real estate scenario.

In its recently released Dubai House Price Index for the 3rd quarter of 2009, Colliers International, the global real estate consultancy has indicated a 7% increase in Emirate’s overall property value. Mr. Tej Kohli, a visionary, real estate investor and founder of Ozone Real Estate says, “This growth is a clear sign of bounce in the market and marks the beginning of an outstanding recovery.”

An experienced business analyst in real estate, Mr. Tej Kohli believes that the real estate prices will stabilize from now on, and in view of the fact that property values are coming close to more affordable levels, now is the right time to invest as the market enters a new phase of renewal.

The Colliers report also shows a 64% increase in transactions for the 3rd quarter of 2009, which is again a positive sign. Contributing to this real estate boon are a myriad of new inaugurations in Dubai, ranging from some world-class towers to hotels. On December 1 this year, Five-star Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, is all set to reopen after months of comprehensive renovation. Close on its heels is the grand launch of world’s tallest hotel – Rose Rayhaan, which will dot the skyline along the Shaikh Zayed Road.

“With a host of projects slated to launch along with the opening of a spanking new airport, Dubai has plenty on its plate to silence the critics and welcome its investors.” asserts Tej Kohli. His company, Ozone real estate itself has a number of projects in full swing lined up for an imminent launch including Tameer Towers, Hydra Hollywood, Hydra Avenue amongst others.

Also following the suit are some high end hotels like The Conrad Hotel Dubai and a second Ritz Carlton, which are slated for an early 2010 opening. Next in line will be the inauguration of the five-star Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa which will contain suits, villas and the exotic water villas, the likes of which are seen in Indian ocean.

In addition, Dubai’s prime golf estate evolution, the Jumeirah Golf Estates is also in line for a late 2009 opening. Accompanying it will be the Tiger Wood’s Al Ruwaya resort, a half-an-hour drive from the Dubai International Airport, is all set for a gala start in 2010, featuring an 18-hole golf championship course.

“The slew of launches goes to show that Dubai is well on track; with global visitor numbers up four per cent for the first half of 2009 compared to the same period last year,” says Mr. Kohli.

For more information visit OZONE REAL ESTATE

“I created Grafix in Hyderabad, India, and it’s now become one of the world’s leading e-business consulting, web design and Internet marketing firms. One of our goals is to improve the click rate of customer sites, and maximize its overall value, both in profitability and end-user experience terms.”

“To do this, Grafix also provides a complete customer design package, whereby we help them attract customers to the site, and when sales are made, to provide payment gateways – an ever-increasing source of frustration for many business owners wanting to process payments – something we can help them with. What’s more, we even provide mobile search and marketing services.”

“What is your working environment like and your present employee strength?”

“When seeking out the best solutions to any issue, whether it be in the personal or personal sphere, I always look for answers from the experiences of highly-successful leaders. Which is why I adopt a similar approach to the one used by Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson, who believes that employee delight will manifest itself into greater productivity and happier customers.

“I’m also an advocate of the “dress down” policy in my Grafix offices. This keeps younger members of staff, those of the modern cutting-edge computer generation, happy and productive.”

“This approach to better employer-employee relations boils down to a matter of respect, where if employee are respected enough to be allowed to make choices over dress, they’ll feel more valued in other areas of their work and as such create a positive Domino Effect of better quality work and enhanced output.”

What are the basic standards and personality traits you look for in your employees?

“I prefer candidates to have relevant experience, and a mix of proficiency and creativity on computers for Grafix Softech. It also helps if they have a real passion for business and numbers since our organization is results-driven. I look for energetic people who are passionate about producing consistent positive results at the highest possible level, and believe in rewarding them for their success. That way, it’s a “win-win” situation…”

What are the career paths and promotional opportunities open to employees at your companies?

“Each new employee is asked not only to outline their career and life goals, but also asked to elaborate what success means to them, to write it down and visualize it while also thinking about the specifics of how they can best add value to our organization. As Napoleon Hill once observed: “what the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve”, a philosophy which inspires me and every team member to greater achievements on a daily basis.

You only have to look at my life – from the streets of New Delhi, India to owning a great corporation and striving to do even better.

I believe that the best people attract what they desire, and with the right mindset and focus, numerous opportunities open up for them no matter what they do. Opportunities which, if they perform them well, will lead to higher management levels and greater rewards.”

“What keeps your employees motivated, and thinking in terms of the greater team good?”

“When employees have been with us for a few months, we ask them to complete private surveys, to tell us what they like best (and least) about working here.

The goal is for an open, direct relationship between employees and management, so no one broods over unresolved conflicts and/or “issues”, and on the positive side it helps to build on the things they do like, thus enhancing team performance.

The best employees are incentivized with titles, plaques, cash bonuses, and a once a year even a vacation for the ‘Employee of the year”. That instills friendly competition amongst staff, which I know to be a good thing.”

“How do you identify your employee needs? What about their attrition rate?”

“Our internal surveys enable us to constantly keep abreast of our employees’ needs, since they allow for the honest expression and exchange of views sadly lacking in many organizations.

The logic for this is simple, yet persuasive: if you keep employees happy, challenged and rewarded, fewer people will want to leave, and your initial investment in their talents will bear greater fruit the longer they remain in our company. Not only will they want to stay, they’ll also recruit the best people they know to join them and share in our mutual success.”

1) Mahatma Gandhi: “a compatriot and a man who many believe to be ‘The Father of Modern India’, Gandhi overcame many obstacles to reach his goals, changing the direction of his life many times but never his convictions or purpose. Despised by those with small minds, and deserting a life of relative comfort as a Lawyer, Gandhi embraced his destiny and was fully focused on ensuring Independence for India from British rule. He was wise enough to realize that a full-frontal attach on the British Empire would be tantamount to suicide. Instead, he mastered the use of non-violent actions (such as his passive rebellion against the Salt Tax), and through word and deed was able to inspire hundreds of millions across the world to his point of view. His crowning glory was the achievement of full Indian independence in 1947, but sadly he did not live long enough to full enjoy it, taken as he was by an assassin’s bullet in 1948. However, whilst the man may no longer be alive, his spirit and example lives on for us all.”

2) Bill Gates: “For reasons best only known to themselves, many people consider Bill Gates to be some sort of Devil Incarnate. I happen to believe he is the greatest inventor and thinker of the past 50 years. As someone fascinated by the IT world, and all its developments, Gates’ software and operating systems have revolutionized the world as we know it, with over 80% of PCs worldwide using Microsoft technology. I also like the big thinking Gates exhibits, a prime example of which was his goal, over 30 years ago, to have a computer operating in every home, something which has almost been achieved. But it’s not just about business, as Bill Gates and his wife now focus their efforts on The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization which searches for answers to the planet’s most pressing health and environmental problems, including cures for AIDS and Ebola, the provision of clean drinking water and the elimination of malaria and TB, and how to tackle the impending Global Environmental crisis. All concerns which I have a close interest in. With a combination of supreme business acumen, and the philanthropic work he undertakes, Bill Gates is one of my role models.”

3) Mother Teresa: “Born into a life of privilege in Eastern Europe, there was little or nothing in Mother Teresa’s early years to suggest the path she would later take. But driven by an inner force to do good, Mother Teresa abandoned her comfortable existence and decided her purpose was to help relieve the suffering of the poor and unloved in India. Through sheer force of will, she created and financed The Mother Teresa Foundation, which became famous worldwide and attracted the help and support of countless individuals and organizations. With her white shawl and strong character, Mother Teresa became a familiar and respected figure on the International stage, often speaking out against discrimination and the lack of opportunities and funding for those considered to be at the lowest levels of society. Even after her death in 1997, her legacy and hospices bear witness to her enormous legacy, as does the gratitude of those saved and cared for by her efforts.”

4) Andrew Carnegie: “Born into abject poverty in the Scottish mining community of the early 1800s, Andrew Carnegie was denied the luxury of an early education, and was instead expected to earn his keep, even as a small child. With a wastrel for a father, but a strong, determined Mother, the young Carnegie’s life was to be transformed forever when, at the age of 12, he and his family emigrated to the U.S.A. His new home proved to be a land of much opportunity for Carnegie, as through a combination of hard work and an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-improvement, he rapidly rose to become the leading Steel manufacturer of the 19th-Century. As with my other three heroes, Andrew Carnegie never rested on his laurels, and as well as his business enterprises, embarked upon the creation of a series of philanthropic foundations, gifts and scholarships, to enable those of all backgrounds to benefit from increasing their knowledge of the world around them (the first of these being the provision of a public library in his hometown in Scotland). His example is an inspiration to us all of what can be achieved with focused work, attention to detail, the desire to improve oneself, and give generously to ventures of a philanthropic nature…”

Most people end up spending their entire lives living within close confines dictated by the age old traditions of the society. Tej kohli is not one of those people. Tej Kohli was born in New Delhi, India where he founded the interactive software firm Grafix Softech after graduating with honors from IIT.

Now that Kohli has written a success story for Grafix Softech, he could have chosen to just sit back and enjoy the fruits of his success. But thanks to his caring mindset and good heart, he has looked for ways to help the people of his adoptive nation and strives to do so in the future as well.

Tej’s many philanthropic interests include The Tej Kohli Foundation, which provides assistance for the impoverished children. The Kohli foundation has a three hundred thousand dollar endowment funded solely by Mr. Tej Kohli. Mr. Kohli plans to expand reach of the foundation to more regions of the country.

Tej Kohli Foundation Tej Kohli funded and nurtured the foundation for welfare of Costa Rican under privileged children community

These goals and philosophies were the product of both my upbringing, and my hard work, discipline and focus in everything I do, whether it’s studying or negotiating a high-level business deal.

What are these characteristics? Ones which anyone can learn and adopt in their own life for great success? They are COMMITMENT and FOCUS (in word and deed, to keep your word at all times and give of your best through hard work and application, moving systematically towards your goals) HONESTY and INTEGRITY (as life often presents hard decisions, where the “easy” route is dishonesty and laziness, the path to failure), INTELLECTUAL and EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (by keeping an open mind on all matters and absorbing knowledgte and information where possible, and opening your heart to both family and friends), and PHILANTHROPY (helping those in positions less advantegeous than the one in which you find yourself). I hope you enjoy your time here on my site: there’s plenty for you to look at, as you can see from the index below.

But not content with the career path seemingly mapped out for him, and keen to break free from what he saw as stifling traditions, Kohli’s entrepreneurial spirit came to the fore when he decided to leave India, emigrate to the United States, and set up business overseas, working with Raba Contel Ltd. in New Dehli as a senior applications engineer, and the California-based Pentagon Investment Group.

These experiences, and the vision and far-sightedeness he possessed, drove Tej Kohli to create and become the CEO and Director of Grafix Softech, and e-solution, e-commerce, e-marketing and interactive software firm employing over 250 people.

Based in Costa Rica, Grafix Softech provides business solutions and services to online businesses and industries, with particular focus on developing and servicing online payment methods and application software.

Now regarded as one of Costa Rica’s most successful employers, businessmen and philanthropists to causes most important to him, such as education and community development, Kohli plans to expand his business more aggressively across UK and Europe.

His many philanthropic interests include The Tej Kohli Foundation, which provides assistance for impoverished children in Costa Rica, with plans to expand its activities into other countries and areas where the need is greatest. The Kohli foundation benefits from a $300,000.00 endowment funded solely by Mr. Kohli, enabling it to carry out its important work.

A keen sportsman, Kohli is often to be found either playing or watching cricket (which he played at both school and University level) and tennis.

When time allows, he also enjoys reading biographies of famous historical figures such as some Winston Churchill)

From a very early age, and in spite of his reduced circumstances, Tej Kohli firmly believed that with hard work, perseverance and an enthusiasm for learning and education in all areas, he could rise above the poverty he (and many of his fellow countrymen) experience on a daily basis.

With this in mind, he set his heart on winning a place at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Dehli, which to his great joy he achieved.

It was whilst he was studying at the IIT that Kohli was struck by a clear division between the students into two distinct camps:

“After all I’d been through to win a coveted place, I was surprised, and a little shocked, to see the lackadaisical attitudes and poor work habits of some (but by no means all) of my fellow students, whose one idea was to have a good time, putting pleasure before business – the wrong way to go about life. Fortunately, my loving parents and family background enabled me to ignore these so-called temptations, and focus on working hard to achieve my goals”.

It also reminded him of the now-legendary Marshmallow Test, carried out by Harvard Professors, where young children were left alone in a room with a marshmallow, and told that if they left it for two minutes, and didn’t eat it, they would then be given another marshmallow as a reward.

Tej Kohli sees this as an appropriate metaphor for much of what constitutes success and failure in today’s business world. All based on his eye-opening experiences as a young man striving for a better future, in the hallowed halls of the IIT…

In the case of The Tej Kohli Foundation Scholarship Fund, the Executive Committee takes into account several factors when making its decision as to which young person benefits from this potentially life-changing endowment.

This takes into account the financial circumstances of the child involved, whether the Committee believes such an endowment will aid the child in his or her development, and the cooperation and support of the child’s parents.

If the child is then accepted for a scholarship, then the real work is only just beginning. The scholar will be expected to embrace The Tej Kohli Foundation’s guiding principles of honesty, openness, discipline, commitment, focus and a philanthropic leaning to help others to help themselves (in much the same way as he or she has been supported).

But the role of the scholarship does not end there: far from it. Once the scholarship student has completed their education, they act as a shining light to others in a similar position, who are further motivated to improve their lot in life, and create a virtuous cycle of education and welath creation rather than the existing vicious cycle of helplessness, despair and poverty in all facets of life.

In spite of his success, Kohli didn’t let it go to his head, and remained level-headed and philosophical, still keen to help others gain access to opportunities where none seemingly existed.

It was during a chance conversation with a friend, that Grafix Softech CEO Tej Kohli realized he could make a significant contribution as a philanthropist. Something he was previously uncertain about. Says Kohli…

“I felt like my gifts were not significant enough or perhaps, it just wasn’t my style,” Tej Kohli began. “But I had a friend who said to me, after seeing my name listed, “Tej, I know that you’re not a multi-billionaire, and I decided that if you can make a gift then maybe I can do one too.” I realized at that point that there is a value in letting your philanthropic gifts be known.”

As an entrepreneur with a passion for charity, it was only natural for Tej Kohli to create the Tej Kohli Foundation, which not only provides financial and educational assistance for underprivileged children in Costa Rica, but also encourages students to pursue careers in IT, Graphic design, and Internet marketing.

As the founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation, Tej Kohli has spent the past four years providing educational, financial and even lodging facilities to needy children.

Since its creation in 2005, the foundation’s outreach programs grow now assists over 125 students., with $300,000.00 of Kohli’s own money invested (to provide school equipment and playing fields) to ensure the Foundation consolidates and builds on its early success.

By doing so, Tej Kohli hopes to enable those less fortunate than himself to gain access to facilities and opportunities which would otherwise been out of reach and an impossible dream. A dream now becoming a day-to-day reality for each and every one of the students enrolled at the Foundation.

The Foundation adheres to a strict open door, non-discriminatory policy, which means young women, as well as young men, are welcomed through its doors with open arms and, through education, can enjoy the wide range of possibilities denied their mothers and grandmothers. There are even scholarship funds available to deserving cases, which are allocated after rigorous assessment and interview.

The primary goal of the Foundation is simple: to prepare these children and young adults, through access to education and lifelong learning for the pressures of the global marketplace whilst at the same time improving their lives, and the lives of those around them, by breaking the vicious cycle of multi-generational poverty.

His Vision Statement being: “a comprehensive education for every student, to empower them to lead successful, productive careers.”

The Foundation encourages young and committed talent to embrace greater levels of personal, social and professional responsibility, push themselves up to and beyond their perceived limits, and support those less fortunate than themselves, both in financial and social ways, creating a “Self-Perpetuating Culture Of Success and Virtuous Circle”, as outlined by Tej Kohli.

But according to Kohli, success should not be achieved – or celebrated – in isolation:

“One of the aims of the Foundation, and something I hold very dear, is to nurture the age-old traditions of charity, and social help. In short, I want every person with whom I come into contact, whether they’re students at the Foundations, or CEOs of my subsidiary companies, to understand the purpose and position of Philanthropy and social responsibility in our 21st-Century World”