Madanlal J Hinduja stepping down as executive chairman of India’s largest garment exporter, Gokaldas Exports, ends an era for an entrepreneur who helped put India on the global apparel map. Hinduja, who started his career in 1968, has steered Gokuldas for more than four decades, drawing on his skills in design, sourcing, sales and business development.
Although a graduate in commerce from Bangalore University (1963), Hinduja’s passion is philosophy. His late father and founder of Gokaldas, J H Hinduja, was his biggest inspiration. “He sees our father as the greatest idol in his life,” says Hinduja’s younger brother and Gokuldas MD, Rajendra.
The sibling describes Hinduja’s leadership style as democratic and consensual. Hardly surprising that Gokaldas today employs more than 40,000 workers in Karnataka and has not seen any labour unrest. Moreover, Hinduja has shaped the culture of the company with a liberal dose of his philosophy for all these years.
Besides philosophy, Hinduja is fond of walking and swimming. “He is also a very good tennis player. However, he is not able to play these days for health reasons,” says Rajendra.
This 69-year-old stalwart of India’s export sector is also replete with accomplishments. He has been honoured with the Apparel Export Award for Lifetime Achievement, Government of India Award for Outstanding Personnel in Apparel Export, as well as several other export awards from both the central and state governments.
After retirement, Hinduja will not only pursue his hobbies, but also work as a mentor for the company in its future growth plans. “He will continue to influence the company and act as a guide for all of us,” says Rajendra. US private equity firm Blackstone bought a majority stake in Gokaldas in 2007, with the rest lying with the Hinduja family.
