The Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, was awarded to Kalpana Saroj in 2013 for her contributions to trade and industry. Born in 1961 in the village of Roperkheda, Maharashtra, she ascended from manual labor in a Mumbai garment factory to the leadership of a prominent industrial enterprise, fundamentally restructuring its operations and securing its long-term financial stability.
Early Development and Mumbai Transition
Born into a Marathi Buddhist family in Akola, Saroj was the eldest of five children. Her father served as a police constable in Repatkhed. At age 12, she moved to a Mumbai slum following an early marriage. After experiencing abuse and subsequent rescue by her father, she faced local ostracism. At 16, she returned to Mumbai, securing employment in a garment factory. Utilizing government loans designated for scheduled caste citizens, she transitioned into entrepreneurship by establishing a tailoring business, which eventually expanded into a furniture enterprise.
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Saroj established a significant presence in the real estate sector, developing a reputation for logistical coordination and business management. She joined the board of directors of Kamani Tubes, a Mumbai-based manufacturer of copper and copper alloy products. When the firm entered liquidation in 2001, she assumed control. She led a comprehensive restructuring process, successfully returning the entity to profitability and solidifying its standing in the industrial market.
Finance, Film, and Public Roles
Beyond her manufacturing interests, Saroj has engaged in multiple sectors. She founded KS Film Production, under which she produced the film Khairlanjichya Mathyavar, with collaboration from Deelip Mhaske, Jyoti Reddy, and Mannan Gore. In the financial sector, the Government of India appointed her to the board of directors of the Bhartiya Mahila Bank. Additionally, she holds a position on the board of governors for the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. She follows the teachings of Dr. Ambedkar.
Personal Assets and Family
In 1980, Saroj married Samir Saroj. Following his death in 1989, she inherited a steel cupboard manufacturing firm. She is the mother of two children, Amar Saroj and Seema Saroj. Estimates of her personal wealth place her assets at approximately $112 million. Her professional trajectory and story have been documented in Milind Khandekar’s book, Dalit Millionaires: 15 Inspiring Stories.
Fast facts
- Born: 1961, Roperkheda, Maharashtra, India
- Primary Occupation: Industrialist
- Notable Recognition: Padma Shri (2013)
- Chairperson: Kamani Tubes
- Children: Amar Saroj, Seema Saroj
- Estimated Personal Assets: $112 million
Questions readers ask
What is the primary industry of Kamani Tubes?
Kamani Tubes manufactures copper and copper alloy products.
Which government banking institution did Saroj serve?
She was appointed to the board of directors of the Bhartiya Mahila Bank.
