Arvind Narottam Lalbhai, one of the biggest visionary in the textile industry and Chairman of Arvind Group, died yesterday morning at the age of 89.
One of the most highly-esteemed industrialists of our times, Lalbhai was suffering from problems related to the spinal cord since the last three months. His demise has left a huge crater in an industry which witnessed the meteoric rise of Arvind Group under his unparalleled leadership.
It was Lalbhai who, through his expertise and excellent business acumen, headed the Rs 1,890-crore Arvind Mills for almost three decades after he took over its reins in 1975 as MD and then in 1980 as Chairman.
Famous for his daring and spirited leadership, Lalbhai adroitly piloted Arvind Mills through the textile crisis of the '80s. Known as the king of denim, he steered Arvind Mills to become one of the largest denim manufacturing unit.
Under his flagship, Arvind Mills surfaced as the largest integrated textile major on the international arena with ventures not only in fabrics but also readymades.
Arvind Lalbhai also chaired many governing bodies like the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Education Society and Gujarat Law Society. He was at the forefront in starting organizations like the Blind Men's Association.
A bachelor all his life, Mr Lalbhai had adopted his brother Niranjanbhai's son Samveg. India has truly lost one of its most pioneering sons of the soil.
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