Qaiser Jaan’s journey begins far from corporate corridors, rooted instead in the narrow lanes of Srinagar downtown. Armed with a degree in biochemistry and later an MBA, she entered the world of banking, building a conventional career trajectory. But a chance encounter altered that course, setting her on an entirely new path. As part of the She Means Business series, Lilac Ali curates key insights from this conversation, capturing the turning points, challenges, and convictions that define Jaan’s journey
KASHMIR LIFE (KL): Tell us about your background, where you grew up and how you were educated?
QAISER JAN (QJ): I was born and raised in Nawakadal, Srinagar. I attended a local school through the tenth grade, then moved to MET Baghat for my higher secondary education. Thereafter, I pursued a BSc in Biochemistry, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration. After completing my studies, I also spent a brief period working in the banking sector.
KL: From science to business. What drove that shift?
QJ: At the time, career guidance was almost non-existent. We had very little exposure or counselling. The prevailing mindset was to secure a stable job rather than pursue entrepreneurship. I initially followed those familial expectations, but eventually found the courage to pursue my own path.
KL: Was your family supportive of those career changes?
QJ: Completely. I would not have been able to do any of this without their support. For me, money and professional success come second to the strength of that foundation. Family has always been my anchor.
KL: How Orion Valley Solar came to be?
QJ: While I was working in Gujarat, I attended the Vibrant Kutch festival, where I encountered solar technology for the first time. It struck me that this innovation had enormous, largely untapped potential back home in Kashmir. I returned with that idea and began by going door to door, explaining what solar energy could do. Initially, the response was cold. Many people dismissed the concept entirely, convinced it had no future.
KL: What specific challenges did you face in those early days?
QJ: We began with solar water heating systems in commercial projects, and the scepticism was significant. People doubted whether the technology would perform reliably in our climate. To address this, we offered guarantees and invested heavily in research and development to adapt the systems to local conditions. Gradually, as the results proved themselves, trust grew. We then focused on expanding our outreach and maintaining rigorous quality standards. Today, Orion has established itself as a recognised and trusted brand.
K L: How did you fund the venture in those early stages?
QJ: We relied primarily on personal savings and loans from JK Bank. One bank official, Masood Sahab, showed extraordinary belief in our vision, something I hold in the highest regard to this day. Over time, as operations expanded, we formally registered as a private limited company in 2019. Today, our work extends well beyond Kashmir. We collaborate with organisations, including the Iranian Embassy and have executed projects in Nepal. Domestically, our footprint includes remote regions of Ladakh. We are also planning to expand into the hospitality sector.
KL: Did you have to acquire new skills along the way?
QJ: Constantly. Technology evolves at a rapid pace, so continuous learning has been essential. Staying well-informed and adaptable is not optional in this field; it is a prerequisite for remaining relevant.
KL: What products does Orion currently supply?
QJ: We design our product range around customer needs while keeping pace with technological developments. Our offerings include solar panels, lighting systems, lithium batteries, and on-grid solutions, the last of which is currently in particularly high demand.
KL: Do you run Orion entirely on your own?
QJ: No enterprise is built alone. Strong support systems are everything. I have been fortunate to have the unwavering backing of my family, my mother, my siblings, as well as people outside the family who believed in this vision from early on. My mother played a pivotal role in my journey. My husband, Ashiq, has been both a source of personal strength and an active business partner. His involvement and support have been invaluable at every stage.
KL: Are there government schemes in J&K that encourage solar adoption?
QJ: Yes. Schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana have opened up real opportunities through subsidies, and KPDCL plays an important role in implementation. In my view, solar is financially viable regardless of subsidies, but these programmes can certainly accelerate adoption and bring more households into the fold.
KL: Finally, where do you see Orion going from here?
QJ: There is considerable scope for growth. We do not yet have local manufacturing of components, which is a gap worth addressing. Developing access to raw materials and building the supporting infrastructure would strengthen the market significantly and position Kashmir as a genuine contributor to India’s renewable energy goals, rather than merely a consumer of solutions developed elsewhere.
