SARWAR ALAM

My Journey: From Village Dreams to Global Leadership & Storytelling

Humble Beginnings, Big Dreams

I was born and raised in a small village in Bihar, where resources were limited but dreams were limitless. My educational journey started in Bhabhata, passed through Narkatiaganj and Bettiah, and culminated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from IGNOU.

A defining chapter of my life opened during my Master’s studies, when I chose to move to Kerala for higher education in Business Management. That journey—from the heart of Bihar to the culturally rich state of Kerala—would later become the inspiration behind my debut novel.

Corporate Leadership Across Continents

Armed with an MBA from CUSAT Kerala, I stepped into the corporate world with ambition and a hunger to make a difference. Over the past 15+ years, I have worked in leadership roles with some of the world’s most respected multinational organizations like ExxonMobil, 3M, Diversey, and Betco, managing business operations across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

My expertise spans Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Brand Building, Customer Service, Technical Services, and most importantly—Strategy Formulation and Execution, which remains my professional forte. Throughout this time, I led initiatives that transformed businesses, built high-performing teams, and delivered sustainable growth in highly competitive industries like Lubricants, Automotive Aftermarket, and Hygiene Solutions.

Building CATAGROW: A New Chapter in Business Leadership

Today, I am channeling my leadership experience into building my own business conglomerate—CATAGROW.

Under the CATAGROW umbrella, I am working on three exciting ventures:

• Apparel Business – Leading the journey to create a global apparel brand, Zayraah Couture, focused on elegance and cultural fusion.
• Strategy Consulting – Helping organizations craft and execute winning business strategies.
• Skill Development – Empowering individuals with practical, industry-relevant skills for career and business success.

In addition, I currently serve on the Board of several MSMEs, guiding them on strategic growth and organizational transformation.

A Deep Passion for Storytelling and Writing

Beyond boardrooms and business plans, my heart lies in storytelling, public speaking, and writing.

Fluent in Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, and English, I’ve always been fascinated by languages and the power of words. This passion inspired me to write my debut novel, Bihari Boy in Kerala—a story inspired by my own life.

The novel follows Sam, a young man from Bihar, as he navigates the challenges of settling into a new culture in Kerala. His experiences of love, friendship, cultural shifts, and personal growth echo my own life’s defining moments. Writing this 70,000-word book over nine intense months—often working late nights in Bihar’s summer heat—remains one of my most fulfilling creative milestones.

I write books that reflect my journey, including leadership, resilience, and identity. Explore Sarwar’s writing journey and books here.

Family: My Strongest Pillar

Throughout my journey, my family has been my constant source of support and inspiration.

My parents continue to live in Bihar, and my father- Mansoor Alam, a retired engineer in the Govt. of Bihar- in particular, remains my lifelong role model whose values guide many of my decisions. I currently reside in Mumbai with my wife and two sons, who are my strongest emotional anchors and cheerleaders, along with my mom and father.

What Lies Ahead: Expanding Impact Through Business, Writing & Digital Media

The journey continues—stronger and more diverse than ever.

On the business front, I am focused on scaling CATAGROW, launching Zayraah Couture, and consulting for growing enterprises across sectors.

On the creative front, I continue writing articles and blogs on Career & Leadership and Life Lessons & Motivation through my website and other platforms. My goal is to provide practical insights and inspiration to professionals, leaders, and young minds navigating their personal and career journeys.

In 2025, I also launched my YouTube Channel— Sarwar Alam: Leadership & Life – where I share thought-provoking videos, blending storytelling with strategic lessons and life insights.

Two more books are currently in the pipeline, set for release by December—one aimed at instilling core values in teenagers, and another inspired by the lyrical and philosophical depth of classical literature, drawing from the works of Rabindranath Tagore.

My Vision: Inspire and Empower

Whether it’s through corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, writing, public speaking, or digital content creation, my mission is simple but powerful:

To inspire and empower millions through my talks, works, and writings—enabling meaningful, pragmatic transformations in their lives.