City student sets up BPO in Bihar, plans expansion

Hitesh Kumar Kyal quit his study, albeit temporarily, to support his family back home in Howrah, Kolkata. He was a first-year BA (Political Science) student at St Xavier's College, Kolkata.

Hitesh Kumar Kyal quit his study, albeit temporarily, to support his family back home in Howrah, Kolkata. He was a first-year BA (Political Science) student at St Xavier's College, Kolkata.

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Five years later, Kyal, 23, is able to provide jobs to youngsters like him at his business process outsourcing (BPO) firm in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

Even after resuming his studies and pursuing MBA from a management school in Gurgaon, Kyal stayed out of the campus recruitment process. Having the burden of repaying his education loan of R10 lakh, it was an adventurous step for him. But according to Kyal, he was guided by his conviction to set up his own business.

“Some people defer their plans and objectives. But I believe if you want to achieve something, why not today?” he said. Kyal, along with his business partner Raj Kumar Chetan, started his firm Frugal. Frugal employs young graduates from rural areas and processes businesses of several banking, telecom and insurance companies. Kyal said the company is expected to employ 5,000 people in a few years.

Muzaffarpur was chosen after much research. “We discovered that the city produces 70,000 graduates every year. It produces the right quantum of talent but offers little opportunities,” said Kyal.

He said his company can prove to be a turning point for the rapidly-growing economy of Bihar, similar to the case of software giant Infosys in Bangalore.

“We are foraying into Bihar at the right time. It was right time that made DLF popular in Gurgaon. Who knows, Frugal could be the next big thing in Muzaffarpur," said Kyal.