MBA graduate Riyaz Kazmi blends corporate acumen with Kashmir’s adventure milestone

Srinagar, Sep 26: Riyaz Kazmi, MBA graduate from Pune University (2006) and former UAE-based FMCG professional, has achieved a remarkable milestone by exploring 100 Alpine lakes across Kashmir, including the previously uncharted Kotasar Lake in Sonmasti Valley, at over 4,200 meters above sea level. The expedition on September 23 involved a challenging 14 km ascent with an elevation gain of more than 2,200 meters.

Kazmi’s professional journey reflects global corporate exposure. After completing his MBA, he secured an international placement at IFFCO, Sharjah, and spent 12 years in the UAE, working with top FMCG brands such as Tiffany Chocolates, London Dairy/Igloo Ice Creams, Noor Oil, Al Rahma Olive Oil, Al Baker Atta, and Al Riffai Nuts. His roles in trade marketing and sales management honed skills in leadership, strategy, and team coordination—skills he seamlessly translated into high-altitude adventure expeditions.

Currently serving in the J&K Finance Department, Kazmi has also contributed adventure travelogues to Greater Kashmir since 2020, inspiring youth toward fitness, outdoor exploration, and adventure tourism.

Reflecting on his achievement, Kazmi said, “Reaching 100 Alpine lakes is not just a number—it’s a journey of resilience, strategy, and teamwork. Every peak taught me patience, every lake taught me humility, and every challenge strengthened my leadership instincts.”

He added, “Adventure, like business, requires planning, risk assessment, and trust in your team. Climbing these heights is a reminder that no goal—be it corporate or personal—is too distant when approached with preparation and persistence.”

On the support of his family and colleagues, he noted, “I am deeply grateful to my spouse, kids, and sister for holding the fort in my absence. My team at Badamwari Athletes and AJKMF, along with friends like Sohail Khan and Zahid Rafiq Kota, showed that shared vision and camaraderie make impossible tasks achievable.”

Kazmi also reflected on the spiritual and mental rewards of adventure: “The mountains teach lessons no boardroom can. Silence of valleys, purity of lakes, and the solitude of high passes remind you that leadership is not just managing others—it is mastering oneself.”

Badamwari Athletes and AJKMF lauded his dedication, with Chairman Bilal Beigh and Managing Director Danish Dhaar stating, “Riyaz Kazmi exemplifies how professional excellence and personal passion can intersect to inspire leadership, resilience, and a spirit of adventure.”

Kazmi’s achievement is not only a landmark in Kashmir’s adventure landscape but also a case study in how MBA-trained professionals can apply strategy, risk management, and leadership skills beyond the corporate world, driving impact in unconventional arenas.