Dharmapala Gulati, also known as Mahashay Dharampal Gulati, was an Indian Businessman and founder and CEO of MDH (Mahashian Di Hatti). If one has seen the advertisement of MDH Masala on television, it is hard to miss Dharmapal Gulati, better known as the “Spices King.” The ad is like ” Asali Masale sach sach MDH MDH.”
He did not visit any popular actor or celebrity; instead, he became the “Brand mascot, Brand icon, and Brand Ambassador.” His image with ethnic wear of a Turban, hook mustache, glasses, and pearl necklace is a symbol on all of his company’s spice packages and advertising messages, which makes him one of the most adorable and likable Brand Ambassador in the country. When there was no T.V. in our homes, he is advertising his Brand MDH via newspaper and other sources since that time.
Early Life:
Mahashay D. Gulati was born on 27th March 1923 in Sialkot, Pakistan. He quit his schooling at the age of 10 and worked mixed jobs, including carpentry, rice-trading, and selling hardware. He joined his father’s Spice shop named “Mahashian Di Hatti.” Gulati helped to expand the store.
After independence in 1947, with India’s partition, the family was forced to leave Sialkot. The family spent time in the refugee camp in Amritsar before making it across to New Delhi. However, he reached Delhi on 27th September 1947, at that time, he had only Rupees 1500 with him. He bought a Tanga for Rs. 650 and drove it from New Delhi Railway station to Qutab road and Karol bagh to Bara Hindu Rao at two annas sawari for few days.
Career:
In 1958 he bought a small wooden khokha(shop/Hatti) measuring 14ft X 9ft at Ajmal khan road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, to restart his father’s Spice store with the same name “Mahashay Di Hatti of Sialkot.” When most Indians would crush spices at home during this time, he evolved ready-to-use ground spices—moreover, the advertised in the popular Hindi newspaper, Pratap, increasing the store’s popularity.
After that, MAHASHAY DHARAMPAL GULATI established the MDH(Mahashian Di Hatti) company in 1965. The company grows huge, having 18 manufacturing facilities and revenue of 1,095cr in 2018.
Apart from the spice industry, he started an eye hospital in 1975 in New Delhi. The later hospital is established in New Delhi to maintain the memory of his mother. Mata Chanan Devi, with 300 beds, the super-specialist hospital with C.T. scan, MRI, etc.
Mr Gulati also developed schools to communicate quality education to the new generation. He has founded MDH international School, Mahashay Chunnilal Sarasvati Shishu mandir, etc. He has established more than 20 schools for the benefit of society and the poor people at large.
The president of India awarded Padma Bhushan to Mahashay Dharampal Gulati, India’s 3rd highest civilian honor, in 2019.
Mahashay D. Gulati passed this month on 3rd December 2020, at the age of 97, at the Mata Chanan Devi Hospital in Delhi of Cardiac arrest.
Written by- Rajan Kumar
Instagram-@Rajankr8115
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