Meet 81-Year-Old Who Sold Detergent Door-to-Door On Bicycle, Took Rs 15,000 Loan, Now Leads Rs 23,000 Crore Firm — Know His Net Worth
photoDetails english 2912216 https://zeenews.india.com/photos/business/meet-81-year-old-who-sold-detergent-door-to-door-on-bicycle-took-rs-15000-loan-now-leads-rs-23000-crore-firm-know-his-net-worth-2912229 Updated:Jun 07, 2025, 07:31 AM IST Born in a Small Village
1 / 8
Karsanbhai Patel was born in 1945 in Ruppur, a small village in Gujarat. Raised in a financially constrained household, he understood the value of hard work early on. Despite limited resources, he was determined to build a better life. He pursued a B.Sc. in Chemistry and secured a modest government job—first as a lab assistant at New Cotton Mills and then at the Geology and Mining Department of Gujarat. From Government Job to Side Hustle
2 / 8
In 1969, Karsanbhai Patel began making detergent powder in his backyard, using a small loan of Rs 15,000. Before heading to his government job, he would sell handmade detergent packets door-to-door on his bicycle in Ahmedabad. Solving a Common Man's Problem
3 / 8
At that time, major detergent brands were priced beyond the reach of ordinary families. Patel saw this gap and formulated a low-cost yet effective alternative. He called it Nirma, named in memory of his late daughter, Nirupama. His pricing strategy — just Rs 13 per kg — struck a chord with middle-class households across India. From Backyard to Brand
4 / 8
Initially, Nirma was produced and packaged by hand in Patel's backyard. As word spread and demand grew, he took a small unit on rent to scale up production. His blend of quality, affordability, and trust made Nirma a household name. The simple, relatable packaging featuring the 'Nirma girl' helped solidify its identity. Advertising That Stuck With A Generation
5 / 8
Nirma's TV and radio jingles — 'Washing powder Nirma!' — became iconic across India. Its messaging appealed to homemakers and positioned the brand as both family-friendly and pocket-friendly. The combination of mass appeal and low price allowed Nirma to dominate even in rural markets. A Diversified FMCG Empire
6 / 8
By the 1990s, Nirma had expanded into soaps, beauty products, and other personal care items. It also became one of the world's largest producers of soda ash. Today, Nirma employs over 18,000 people and earns Rs 7,000 crore in annual revenue. The group's total turnover exceeds Rs 23,000 crore, with cement brand Nuvoco Vistas also under its belt. A Visionary Beyond Business
7 / 8
Patel didn't just stop at business. He founded the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF) and Nirma University, which have become prestigious institutions in Gujarat. His contributions to business and education have earned him many accolades, including the Udyog Ratna Award (1990) and Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award (2006). Net Worth
8 / 8
As of June 2025, Karsanbhai Patel's net worth is estimated at 5.1 billion dollars (Rs 42,585 crore), as per Forbes. His journey from cycling with detergent packets to leading one of India's most recognizable consumer brands is a testament to grit, vision, and the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
28 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Poor struggle as China eyes Pakistan's donkeys for hides for ejiao
'A donkey now costs as high as Rs 2,00,000 in the market, way too high than the Rs 30,000 I paid to buy Tiger eight years ago,' Rasheed, a donkey cart owner said.
News18
40 minutes ago
- News18
Infosys Offers Cash Rewards For Senior Staff Conducting Lateral Hire Interviews
Last Updated: Infosys has introduced a cash reward policy for senior employees conducting lateral hiring interviews, offering 700 points per interview. Infosys, India's second largest software company, has rolled out a new cash reward policy for senior employees who participate in interviews for lateral hiring, aimed at enhancing employee morale. Under this scheme, employees will earn 700 points (equivalent to Rs 700) for each interview they conduct. They can also claim incentives for interviews conducted over the past five months, as the program is effective from January 1, sources told ET. This is the first time Infosys has implemented such an incentive-driven initiative, according to ET report. However, the policy is limited to recruitment within India. The ET report states this move acknowledges the significant role employees play in the interview process, especially as the IT sector increasingly focuses on lateral hiring rather than campus recruitment. At Infosys, experienced tech professionals like track leads, architects, and project managers at job levels 5 and 6 (JL5 & JL6) typically conduct multiple rounds of interviews with candidates shortlisted by the talent acquisition team, before the candidates proceed to the HR round. IT giant Infosys discharged at least 195 trainees from a batch of 680 after they failed to pass internal assessment tests, according a report by MoneyControl citing company emails being reviewed by it. With the fresh exits, the total number of affected trainees have reached to 800 since February, marking the fourth round of exits. To support those affected, Infosys is providing free upskilling programs through NIIT and UpGrad. According to MoneyControl report, out of total affected trainees, 250 have enrolled in upskilling programme through Upgrad and NIIT and 150 trainees were registered for outplacement services. India's second-largest IT services company laid off approximately 240 employees on April. Previously, the firm had let go of over 300 trainees in February and an additional 30-35 in March. These layoffs are a response to the company's need to navigate a challenging demand environment. Infosys has projected a revenue growth of only 0 percent to 3 percent for the current fiscal year, highlighting ongoing uncertainty in its primary markets.
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
FDs, Senior Citizens, And Stock Market: Inside The Rs 4.58 Cr ICICI Bank Fraud
Last Updated: A 26-year-old ICICI Bank manager in Kota, Rajasthan, was arrested for siphoning Rs 4.58 crore from senior citizens' FDs and loans between 2020 and 2023. ICICI Bank Fraud Case: Banks are considered one of the safest places to park your unused money when you don't need it. Fixed Deposit, a financial instrument of giving your money to banks in returns of fixed interest and the full amount after the tenure, is popular among Indians, especially millennials. FDs not only help to secure your money but also allow you to reduce the risk of inflation-beaten deduction of value. The illusion of safety can be broken into pieces if the entrusted employees of a big public lender bank have stolen your money parked in FDs. A shocking case has come to the spotlight where a bank manager of ICICI bank from Kota, Rajasthan was alleged to siphon off money from Senior Citizens' FDs and loans in a period of three years. A 26-year-old ICICI Bank relationship manager has been arrested for allegedly siphoning off Rs 4.58 crore from customers, mainly senior citizens, between 2020 and 2023. The fraud was uncovered by the bank's internal audit team, which alerted the branch manager, leading to a police FIR and her arrest on May 31, 2025. According to reports, the employee misused financial instruments like fixed deposits, overdrafts, and personal loans in customers' names without consent. She misused the digital naivety of the senior citizen's customers. The accused employee is reported to be used the stolen money in stock market. She used the platforms like ICICI Direct and Zerodha to trade in derivatives. The reports state that most of the customers who had been duped were seniors without any knowledge of digital banking. The employee reportedly concealed her tracks well, delaying detection. How the fraud unfolded (2020–2023): 1) Targeted Elderly Customers: The accused focused on senior citizens who had fixed deposits (FDs) and limited tech knowledge. 2) Misused Financial Products: Prematurely broke customers' FDs Created overdrafts (ODs) Took personal loans — all in customers' names, without their consent 3) Routed Funds to a Third-Party Account: She transferred the stolen funds to a third-party 'pool account" to avoid detection. 4) Traded in Stock Market: She used the stolen money to trade in derivatives (F&O) on platforms like ICICI Direct and Zerodha (Kite). 5) Covered Her Digital Tracks: She skillfully hid her online activity, making it hard for coworkers or managers to spot the fraud. 6) Audit Team Detected Irregularities: ICICI Bank's internal audit team uncovered the scam, leading to her suspension and arrest. About the Author Business Desk First Published: June 08, 2025, 09:57 IST
