This Man Sold Detergent Door-to-Door On A Bicycle, Now Leads Rs 23,000 Crore Firm – Know His Inspiring Story

Karsanbhai Patel was born in 1945 in Ruppur, Gujarat, to a poor farming family. His childhood was filled with financial struggles, but these challenges shaped his determination to succeed.

Patel completed his education in chemistry and took up a job as a laboratory technician in a government lab. Despite earning only a small salary, he always dreamed of starting his own business.

In 1969, Patel saw an opportunity when he realized many couldn’t afford expensive detergents. With a loan of Rs 15,000, he began manufacturing affordable detergent powder from his backyard, which he named Nirma.

Patel started by selling his detergent door-to-door on his bicycle. His product, priced at Rs 13 per kilogram, quickly gained popularity for its affordability and effectiveness.

As demand for Nirma surged, Patel rented a small manufacturing unit and hired more workers to boost production. Nirma soon became a household name across India, expanding into soaps and personal care products.

Today, Nirma Limited employs around 18,000 people and earns annual revenues of Rs 7,000 crore. The Nirma Group’s total turnover has surpassed Rs 23,000 crore, making it one of India’s most successful conglomerates.

Karsanbhai Patel’s inspiring journey earned him several prestigious awards, including the Udyog Ratna Award in 1990 and the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, cementing his legacy as a business icon.