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Dharampal Gulati, India's king of spices, passes away at 97! Leaders pay tribute

By alagu, 03 December, 2020
India, MDH, Dharampal Gulati

Dharampal Gulati, who was one of the iconic figures in the Indian commerce industry often called India's grand old man and king of spices, has passed away on Thursday at the age of 97 in Dehli due to cardiac arrest. 

Gulati, who was fondly called Dadaji and Mahashayji, was the founder and owner of the reputed MDH (Mahashian Di Hatti) masala brand, which was known across and beyond the borders. According to reports, Gulati had been getting treated in a hospital for three weeks due to his age-related ailments. Despite the efforts to save him, the grand old man of spices had breathed his last at around 5.30 am on Thursday at the age of 97 due to cardiac arrest. 

His demise has put the entire commerce industry into incessant dusk as he was recognized as the popular businessman and a brand ambassador for his own spices product. Known as Colonel Sanders of India, Gulati rose to prominence by being a trademark of his own masala brand like how Sanders was to his KFC brand. Despite the challenges, Dharampal Gulati dedicated himself to the advancement of his brand and to reach every household in India. 

Recognizing his work and commending his contribution to the Indian commerce industry, the Central government has conferred Gulati with Padma Bhushan, which was India's third-highest civilian award, in 2019. The award by given by President Ram Nath Kovind. Being a most inspirational and significant figure, Gulati was one of the iconic faces for Indian startups. He was born in Pakistan's Sialkot in 1923 and as a fifth-grade dropout, he joined his father Mahashay Chunni Lal Gulati's spice business. 

According to his biography published on the MDH site, Gulati moved to India after the partition of 1947 and he arrived in Delhi with Rs 1,500 in his hand. Before moving to Delhi, Gulati set up his business in Pakistan in 1937 with the help of his father and he started marketing rice, hardware, mirrors, and soaps. However, he was failed in his business following which he returned to work with his father for the masala company Mahashian Di Hatti. At that time, they were popularly known as the Deggi Mirch Wale. 

After he moved to Delhi following the partition, Gulati set up his first store in Karol Bagh in Delhi and he expanded his business from there and he was the architect of how his masala business stands today with immense reach and a larger base of customers across the country. Gulati had reestablished his company in 1959 in Delhi and he stretched the hands of his business across the nation and raised his brand to popularity. 

His MDH masala brand today sells 62 products available in over 150 different packages and his spices are also getting marketed worldwide. In 2017, Gulati became the highest-paid fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) CEO in India at the age of 94. Beyond being a successful entrepreneur, Gulati was also a philanthropist and he had constructed several hospitals and schools. In his career spanning for eight decades, he came to India with Rs 1,500 and he ended his life by building an empire that is worth over Rs 1,000 crore. 

Gulati's salary was Rs 21 crore in the last fiscal and he used to donate nearly 90% of his salary to the charity that he started under his father's name. With his contribution, Mahashay Chunni Lal Charitable Trust operates a 250-bed hospital in Delhi along with a mobile hospital for slum dwellers and four schools. After his demise made headlines, the entire nation pays tribute to the deceased humanitarian and condolences to his empire. 

In his tribute note, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "Honored with Padma Bhushan, he was a well-known personality of the Indian industry. His work done for social service is also commendable. My condolences to his family and fans". Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and said, "I feel saddened by the passing away of one of India's most respected businessmen, Mahasri Dharmapalji. He started his small business and made a mark of himself. He was very active in social work and remained active till the last moment. I express my condolences to his family". 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Rich gentleman Dharmapala ji was a wonderful symbol of struggle and hard work. The life of Dharmapal ji, who attains the pinnacle of success through his hard work, inspires every person". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Dharm Pal ji was a very inspiring personality. He dedicated his life for society. God bless his soul". Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "India's most inspiring entrepreneur, MDH owner Dharm Pal Mahashay passed away this morning. I have never met such an inspiring and lively soul. May his soul rest in peace."
 

 

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