Arvind Mafatlal
Death 30 Oct 2011
Birth- 27 Oct 1923
The Mafatlal Group is one of India’s oldest and most prominent industrial conglomerates, founded in 1905. Spearheaded by visionary industrialist Arvind Mafatlal, the group diversified from a fabric-peddling business into a massive empire encompassing textiles, petrochemicals, plastics, and engineering.
MUMBAI: Mafatlal Group patriarch and social reformer Arvind N Mafatlal passed away on Sunday at Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh after prolonged illness.
He was 88. He is survived by son Hrishikesh Mafatlal, who is the chairman of the Arvind Mafatlal Group, and daughter Maithili Desai. A month ago, the ailing industrialist was flown in from Mumbai to Chitrakoot, as he wanted to spend his last days there.
The legendary industrialist played a prominent role in the post-Independence growth story of the country. The Group, set up by his grandfather in 1905 in Ahmedabad as a textile mill, was primarily into textile business till Arvind took over in 1954.
Under his leadership, the group transformed into a conglomerate with interests in rubber chemicals, specialty chemicals and petro chemicals, besides the flagship textiles. The rubber chemicals business NOCIL, set up in collaboration with Royal Dutch Shell and Hoechst Mafatlalat at Thane is one of the largest rubber chemicals companies in the country and a leading exporter.
Another company Navin Flourine is the largest manufacturer of flouro chemicals in the country. In textile, Mafatlal Denim is a leader.
To achieve his social vision of improved quality of life for the underprivileged, Mafatlal worked closely with renowned Gandhian Manibhai Desai to set up the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF). BAIF used modern technology, and focused on research and development to improve the earning potential of tribal and landless population. BAIF initiatives are benefiting over 4.4 million families in 16 states.
Mafatlal was also a supporter of women’s empowerment. He launched the Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust in 1968 to carry out activities like health services in tribal and rural areas and relief and rehabilitation at the time of major natural calamities.
After India’s independence in 1947, poverty was a significant issue in country. More than 90 percent of the population was illiterate and poor. In such circumstances, some industrialists and businessmen took steps toward making the country self-reliant by providing employment to millions of people in industry and business. These figures should never be forgotten, and with this aim, every citizen can take inspiration from them, become self-reliant themselves, and empower others, thereby strengthening the country economically and strategically. We established this news portal, www.shashvatsatya.com for this noble cause.
Shekhar Kapoor
www.shashvatsatya.com
Email. shashvatsatya.delhi@gmail.com
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