This story is from August 4, 2007

Arvind Lalbhai, king of denim, passes away at 89

TNN / Aug 4, 2007, 04:09 IST

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The patriarch, who had been ailing from spinal cord related problems for past three months, was not just known for as an eminent industrialist but also as an institution builder and philanthropist.

Arvind Lalbhai, king of denim, passes away at 89

AHMEDABAD: Arvind group chairman and doyen of Indian industry, Arvind Narottam Lalbhai, died here on Friday morning at the age of 89.
The patriarch, who had been ailing from spinal cord related problems for past three months, was not just known for as an eminent industrialist but also as an institution builder and philanthropist. Lalbhai headed India's largest integrated textile company — the Rs 1845 crore Arvind Mills for nearly three decades after he took over its reins in 1975 as MD and in 1980 as chairman.
Known as a visionary and courageous industrialist, Lalbhai successfully steered Arvind Mills through the textile crisis of the mid-80's that wiped out several composite textile mills after the advent of powerlooms to India's largest denim manufacturer.
Under his leadership, Arvind also stitched up a major restructuring at the turn of the century to emerge as an largest integrated textile major on the global arena with a presence not just in fabrics but readymades as well.

The doyen of Indian textile industry also headed several national and state level trade and industry bodies including the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) - as president in 1981-82 and was also president of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He helmed various textile bodies like the Indian Cotton Mills Federation (1982), and was also chairman of the textile committee in 1980.

Thrice president of The Ahmedabad Textile Mills Association, he also nurtured the ATIRA (Ahmedabad Textiles and Industrial Research Association) as chairman of the governing council. Arvind Kaka, as he was lovingly called, also established numerous institutions prominent among with is the Blind Men's Association, Ahmedabad. He was also on the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad and member of the governing council of the Ahmedabad Education Society.
Nephew Sanjay Lalbhai describes him as a multi-faceted personality who loved life in its totality. "Not only was he a businessman, but also a philanthropist, institution builder, sportsman and nature lover. A true optimist, he never lost hope even in the worst circumstances. He created leaders, empowered them and gave them unflinching support," says Lalbhai.
Terming him as a man of textiles, Ramnik Ambani, who has been associated with him through ATIRA, said: "Arvind devoted his entire life to textiles and its modernisation. He was instrumental in developing new technology for ginning mills."
Zydus group CMD Pankaj Patel said: "As one of the leading lights of Gujarat's industry, Arvindbhai showed us new dimensions with his vision, conviction, beliefs and corporate citizenship."

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