Arvind Mafatlal

October 27, 2023

A commemorative postage stamp on the Birth Centenary of Arvind N. Mafatlal, third generation of Mafatlals, owner of Arvind Mafatlal Group (AMG) :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 27, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100^th Birth Anniversary of Arvind N. Mafatlal and salutes his zeal for entrepreneurship, industrial development and social welfare.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Arvind Navinchandra Mafatlal

Born on 27 Oct, 1923 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Died on 30 Oct, 2011 at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India

About :

Shri Arvind N. Mafatlal was born on October 27, 1923, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Educated at St. Xavier’s High School and Sydenham College, Mumbai, he was the proud heir to a great business legacy, founded in 1905 by his entrepreneur grandfather Shri Mafatlal Gagalbhai.
Shri Arvind Mafatlal took over the reins of the Mafatlal Group of Companies in 1955, and spearheaded its progress with bold and innovative ideas, perseverance and brilliant strategy.
Between 1963 and 1968, he set up India’s first integrated petrochemical complex through two pioneering joint venture companies – NOCIL, in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell Co. of Netherlands/UK and Polyolefins Industries Ltd (PIL) in partnership with Hoechst AG of Germany, a world leader in chemicals.
In the same period, two additional pioneering chemical ventures, Standard Alkalies Ltd and Navin Fluorine Industries were also set up. In the years to come, he raised the textile business of the Group to new heights of glory, and was hailed as a leader and trendsetter in the industry.
As the Chairman of Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust set up by his Gurudev in 1968, Shri Arvind Mafatlal focused on providing vital health services in tribal and rural areas, and contributed tirelessly to relief and rehabilitation work during natural calamities. His ‘Sukhadi Programme’ which aimed to assuage the hunger of those stricken by debilitating droughts and famines, saved the lives of millions in the remote corners of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Sadguru Trust also established a number of eye care hospitals and schools in the interiors of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and has carried out more than 1.1 million eye surgeries and post-operative care.
From the late sixties onwards, he brought his dynamism and farsightedness to bear on the activities of BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation). In 1977, he was nominated as Chairman, BAIF. He served in this position until his demise. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for gram-rajya in an independent India, he, along with Manibhai, helped BAIF execute exemplary projects in community development and relief, sustainable rural development and food security.
Shri Arvind Mafatlal held various important positions in prestigious financial institutions, such as Director in State Bank of India and Director in Industrial Development Bank of India. He was the recipient of prestigious accolades like the Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal (1966), the Business Leadership Award of Madras Management Association (1971), the Indian Merchants’ Chamber Award (1975), the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Gold Medal for Industrial Peace of XLRI, Jamshedpur (1978), the Honour of Maharashtra Economic Development Council (1985), the Lions’ Humanitarian Award by the International Association of Lions Clubs (USA) for sight-related activities (1993), and the Rotary Club of Bombay’s ‘Citizen of Bombay’ Award for the year 1995.
On October 30^th, 2011, at Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, Shri Arvind N. Mafatlal left his body. He played an important role in the post independence growth of the country. Through his foresight, brilliant strategy and vision he not only spearheaded the Mafatlal group but also inspired countless young minds. He was also an ardent social reformer. To achieve his social vision of improved quality of life for the underprivileged he founded BAIF, which used modern technology and focussed research and development to improve the livelihood of tribals and landless. He was also a great proponent of women empowerment.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.