Kalpana Saroj
Kalpana Saroj | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 Roperkheda village, Akola district, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, business leader, TEDx presenter |
| Known for | Chairperson of Kamani Tubes; Padma Shri awardee (2013) |
| Notable work | Founder of KS Film Production; Producer of Khairlanji Movie |
Kalpana Saroj (born 1961) is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, business leader, and TEDx presenter. She holds the position of chairperson at Kamani Tubes, a Mumbai-based company specializing in copper and copper alloy manufacturing. Originating from a humble background within the Dalit community, Saroj is acclaimed for acquiring Kamani Tubes during its financial distress and successfully reviving it to profitability. In recognition of her contributions to trade and industry, she was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in 2013.
Early life
Born in 1961 in Roperkheda village, Akola district of Maharashtra, Saroj grew up as the eldest among five siblings in a Marathi Buddhist household. Her father served as a police constable. Married at the age of 12, she initially resided with her husband's family in a Mumbai slum but left due to mistreatment and returned to her native village. Facing social exclusion there, she attempted suicide before relocating back to Mumbai at 16 to live with her uncle. Beginning her career with low-paying factory jobs, she utilized government loans designated for scheduled caste individuals to start a tailoring enterprise, followed by establishing a furniture business.
Entrepreneurial ventures
Saroj is the founder of KS Film Production and was involved in producing Khairlanji Movie, which was released in English, Telugu, and Hindi versions. She built a thriving real estate enterprise and earned acclaim for her extensive network and business acumen. When Kamani Tubes entered liquidation in 2001, she joined its board of directors, took control of the company, implemented operational restructuring, and steered it back to financial success.
Her estimated personal wealth stands at approximately $112 million.
Personal life
A follower of Navayana Buddhism inspired by Dr. Ambedkar's philosophy, Saroj remarried Samir Saroj in 1980 at the age of 22. The couple had two children, Amar and Seema Saroj. After her husband's passing in 1989, she inherited his steel cupboard manufacturing business, which served as a critical foundation for her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Awards and recognition
In 2013, Kalpana Saroj was awarded the Padma Shri for her achievements in Trade and Industry. She has been appointed to the board of directors of Bhartiya Mahila Bank, an institution focused on women’s banking initiated by the Government of India. Additionally, she serves on the board of governors at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. Featured in Milind Khandekar's book Dalit Millionaires: 15 Inspiring Stories, she has also shared her insights as a speaker at various TEDx forums.
Books
External links
- Businesspeople from Mumbai
- Recipients of the Padma Shri in trade and industry
- Living people
- Indian chairpersons of corporations
- Indian social reformers
- Indian women bankers
- Indian bankers
- 20th-century Indian businesspeople
- Navayana Buddhists
- 1961 births
- Businesswomen from Maharashtra
- 20th-century Indian businesswomen
- 21st-century Indian businesswomen
- 21st-century Indian businesspeople
- Nari Shakti Puraskar winners
- 20th-century Indian Buddhists
- 21st-century Indian Buddhists