Founded in 1897, the Godrej Group is one of the most diverse and prominent Business Empires in India.
A thread on the history of the @GodrejGroup.
🧵👇
#fintwit
A thread on the history of the @GodrejGroup.
🧵👇
#fintwit
Nadir Godrej, the head of the Godrej family, was born in 1951.
He was the youngest of two children.
At the dawn of Independence, Nadir’s father worked for the family business, which was first started in the late 19th century by his granduncle and grandfather.
#fintwit
He was the youngest of two children.
At the dawn of Independence, Nadir’s father worked for the family business, which was first started in the late 19th century by his granduncle and grandfather.
#fintwit
A wealthy Parsi family from Bombay, the genesis of the empire began with Ardeshir Godrej revolutionizing the lock-and-safe industry.
Even today, the Godrej locks and almirahs are a quintessential part of Indian consumer culture.
Even today, the Godrej locks and almirahs are a quintessential part of Indian consumer culture.
In 1897, a legacy had begun forming – a legacy that Nadir Godrej and his family would continue to temper more than 50 years later.
Between Nadir and his brother, Adi stood a difference of nine years.
Between Nadir and his brother, Adi stood a difference of nine years.
Adi left for America for his further education, and wouldn’t return until 1963 when Nadir was 12 years.
In 1963, Adi was a young 21-year old man who’d already finished his Bachelor’s and Master’s.
In 1963, Adi was a young 21-year old man who’d already finished his Bachelor’s and Master’s.
Nadir would only join the business at 26 in 1976 after prestigious education stints at MIT, Standford University, and Harvard Business School, earning himself two Master’s degrees.
The Godrej’s were an academic family.
The Godrej’s were an academic family.
In 1933, Burjor Godrej, Nadir’s father, left India to pursue an education in Germany at a time when the Nazi regime was at its peak.
Seven years later, in 1939, the British Consulate summoned all Indian students to ship them back home.
War had been declared!
Seven years later, in 1939, the British Consulate summoned all Indian students to ship them back home.
War had been declared!
But in 1949, Burjor went back after 10 years to finish his Ph.D.
He had 10 years to write his thesis.
In Berlin, he was given one month to finish!
He had 10 years to write his thesis.
In Berlin, he was given one month to finish!
Not all the Godrejs had a passion for academics, though.
Burjor’s brothers had a different scholastic trajectory all together.
Sorab Godrej, Nadir’s uncle, did his BSc at the behest of his family.
Burjor’s brothers had a different scholastic trajectory all together.
Sorab Godrej, Nadir’s uncle, did his BSc at the behest of his family.
From a very young age, Nadir was deeply influenced by his hardworking and threateningly intelligent father.
If there is a regret Nadir had, it was that he didn’t do research at MIT, a cradle of innovation even then.
If there is a regret Nadir had, it was that he didn’t do research at MIT, a cradle of innovation even then.
All this exposure, and the scientific curiosity his father instilled in him, reflects in the way the @GodrejGroup functions today, at the forefront of innovation and change.
It wasn’t just the men in Nadir’s life that impacted him.
It wasn’t just the men in Nadir’s life that impacted him.
His mother, Jai Godrej, had a profound influence on him, too.
She was an English teacher.
In the mid-1960s, Jai joined summer school at the University of Oregan to study Child Psychology.
She was an English teacher.
In the mid-1960s, Jai joined summer school at the University of Oregan to study Child Psychology.
During India’s struggle for independence, Nadir’s grandmother would publish poems for magazines, which she would recite to him, a memory still dear to him.
Even Jai would have her short stories published later. It was quite a literary family!
Even Jai would have her short stories published later. It was quite a literary family!
Nadir’s written poems about both his uncles, too.
He says Naval, once, had been stabbed by ‘80s union leader Dutta Samant’s henchmen.
Having lost too much blood, a timely transfusion had saved him.
He says Naval, once, had been stabbed by ‘80s union leader Dutta Samant’s henchmen.
Having lost too much blood, a timely transfusion had saved him.
But 10 years later, the very same transfusion would kill him due to a disease the donor had carried.
In 1976, Nadir returned to India.
It would be another year before the Emergency imposed, would cease.
In 1976, Nadir returned to India.
It would be another year before the Emergency imposed, would cease.
At the height of Emergency, Adi had called Nadir saying he really needed him.
It was all Nadir needed to hear to return home.
The @GodrejGroup had begun to grow leaps and bounds once his brother joined it.
It was all Nadir needed to hear to return home.
The @GodrejGroup had begun to grow leaps and bounds once his brother joined it.
But the real boom took place in 2000 after stringent liberalization loosened the chokehold the Indian government had on businesses.
@GodrejGroup
@GodrejGroup
After years of struggle, the @GodrejGroup expanded into Godrej Industries, Properties, Consumer Products, Agrovet, Nature’s Basket, Infotech, Efacec Automation, and Robotics, Godrej & Boyce, and independent company Geometric.
It's easily one of India’s biggest corporate empires.
It's easily one of India’s biggest corporate empires.
Today the @GodrejGroup continues to grow strong as ever with both Adi and Nadir at the helm as Chairman.
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