Here is a heartwarming story of an unshakable Dalit girl with a stubborn heart who made it to the top. Kalpana Saroj, well known as the first women entrepreneur of India, is the CEO of Kamani Tubes today. She is the boss of her journey with personal assets worth $112 million. Her journey from the bylanes of rural Maharashtra to Mumbai’s high-profile business corridors is inspiring.
Often referred to as ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ her rags-to-riches story is unbelievable. Kalpana was born in a village of Maharashtra when it was difficult for the girls to enjoy freedom.
Upbringing and Basic Education
Girls back then were considered to be a burden on the family. Child marriage was prevalent and was the main reason behind being married off at an earlier age. She was born into a Dalit family in the Roperkheda village of Maharashtra.
Kalpana, however, was fortunate! Her father was a police constable in a rural backdrop. He sent her to a local village school. Even while studying well, she soon became part of caste bias. This is the ugly reality of our Indian society. Although declining, caste bias exists even today.
She recalls that ‘she was not allowed to participate in school functions. And that the parents of other children would admonish them for playing or sharing food with her. They were also restricted from visiting her house.’
From Bad to Worse
However, due to societal pressure, she got married at the early age of 12 years. The unfortunate early marriage compounded her struggles and threw her into abuse and hardship. She was a class 7 student then and started living in a slum in Mumbai with her husband and in-laws. She was beaten and treated like a maid after her marriage. They starved her and made her look malnourished.
Her father could not recognize her when he visited her six months later. He decided to take her back as marriage seemed like death for her. Eventually, the duo decided to end the marriage.
She tried resuming her studies after returning home. But so-called judges in our societal framework did not allow her to do so. The whole family came under pressure as villagers used to taunt them and put needless criticism against their decision.
Kalpana resolved to end her life by consuming pesticides. But was luckily caught and saved by her family members. This is an excellent example of what societal pressure can do to an individual. People are unaware of how uncalled-for advice can ruin a life.
No Looking Back
Eventually, Kalpana understood and realized the importance of life. She decided to move to Mumbai and achieve something big. She convinced her parents to allow her to stay with her uncle in the metropolis as there were no job opportunities in the village.
Kalpana joined a job at 2 rupees per day in a garment factory where she mastered the art of operating sewing machines. She soon became a senior tailor and got a good salary. Things got back on track. But once again, disaster struck. She lost her sister because her family could not arrange the required money for the treatment of her sister.
Change for the Better
This incident helped Kalpana realize the importance of money. She decided to move on and do something big. She decided to become an ‘Entrepreneur.’
She heard of a government loan scheme for Dalits on the radio and applied for it. Within a few months, she got the money and started her own business by installing sewing machines. With profits from this business, she further invested money in a furniture business.
At the age of 22, Kalpana got married to Samir Saroj, a steel furniture businessman. They soon had a son and a daughter from the wedlock. However, the marriage did not last long, as her husband died.
There Is More to Come – Always
It was mere luck when a man came to Kalpana with a proposal to buy land as he needed the money. She closed the deal for 2.5 lacs. However, the plot price within some time shot up to 50 lacs, and Kalpana eventually entered the real estate and construction business.
Kamani Tubes was established in 1960 and was closed in 1985. This was due to the conflict between the worker’s union and management. Under massive debts, the worker’s union of Kamani Tubes approached Kalpana in the year 2000. Where others saw a sinking ship, Saroj saw an opportunity. She turned the company’s losses into huge profits with her keen business insight. She settled all the labor disputes, cleared debts, and re-established its market presence; Saroj transformed Kamani Tubes into a profit-making entity. Her entrepreneurship skills revived the fate of 3,500 workers and their families struggling to bring bread to the table in Mumbai.
An Icon for Many
Kalpana Saroj’s journey shows her grit to succeed and her vision. Throughout her career, she pushed for the upliftment of the poor and supported various causes for women’s rights and education for the underprivileged.
On April 20, 2013, her contributions were recognized, and she was awarded the Padma Shri by President Shri Pranab Mukherjee, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
Conclusion
Kalpana Saroj overcame all the societal barriers, personal hardships, and challenges on the individual and business front with determination and vision. As the first Indian woman entrepreneur, she navigated bravely into turbulent waters and came out with flying colors. She paved the way for many others, proving that with resilience and dedication. She demonstrated by her success that there’s no limit to what one can achieve.
- Born: 1961 (Roperkheda, Akola, Maharashtra, India)
- Occupation: CEO, Kamani Tubes
- Spouse: Samir Saroj
- ​Children: Seema Saroj, Amar Saroj
- Padma Shri: April 20, 2013
