Gautam Sarabhai

Gautam Sarabhai (4 March 1917 – July 1995) was an industrialist and businessman from Sarabhai family of Ahmedabad.

Birth

Gautam was born to industrialist Seth Ambalal Sarabhai and Sarladevi on 4 March 1917. He was the fifth child and second son of the couple. His elder brother was Surhid and younger was Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program.

Family

He was married to Kamalini. The couple has two daughters named Mana and Shyama.[1]

Career

Gautam Sarabhai joined Calico in 1940 as a director at the age of 22. With his keen sense of initiative, entrepreneurial talent and an innate financial acumen, he succeeded his father as chairman of the company in 1945. He took control of other group companies after death of his elder brother Surhid Sarabhai in 1945, while Vikram Sarabhai was involved in developing India's space program.

He expanded the textile mills and diversified the group into chemicals, plastics and fibres, harnessing modern technology to meet the challenge of the future. He not only looked after the Calico Mills but also helped start the National Institute of Design along with his sister Gira in 1961.[2][3] The group suffered a setback in 1980s due to family feud also arose between the next of the kin of his brothers and Gautam and Surhid Jr and Kartikeya Sarabhai were ousted from management in 1982 by Gautam Sarabhai.[4][5]

He also helped start The Physcotherapy Study Group and B.M. Institute of Mental Health.[6]

He was an avid lover of arts and had a collection of statues and paintings.[7]

Death

He died in July 1995. After his death the Sarabhai group came into the hands of Kartikeya Sarabhai.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Business India. A.H. Advani. January 1997. p. 86. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Jon T. Lang (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. Orient Blackswan. pp. 48–. ISBN 978-81-7824-017-6. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Khushwant Singh (1 January 2009). Why I Supported the Emergency: Essays and Profiles. Penguin Books India. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-670-08324-4. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Business World. Ananda Bazar Patrika Limited. October 1987. p. 130. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  5. ↑ India Today. Living Media India Pvt. Limited. 1982. pp. 56–57. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  6. ↑ Vikram Patel; R Thara (23 June 2003). Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Developing Countries: NGO Innovations in India. SAGE Publications. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-7619-9699-6. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Vidya Dehejia (13 August 2013). Art of the Imperial Cholas. Columbia University Press. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-0-231-51524-5. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
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