Born in 1937 Qimat Rai Gupta came from a lower middle class family. His upbringing was with Indian values and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita played a big role in shaping his approach to life and business. In 1958 Gupta left his studies and went to New Delhi in search of better opportunities. He had only Rs 10000 with which he established Guptaji & Company an electrical trading business located in Bhagirath Palace of Delhi’s largest wholesale market for electrical goods. This small shop gave Gupta experience in the electrical trade and a developed his understanding of customer needs. Turning Point: Acquiring Havells In 1971 A pivotal moment in Gupta’s career came in 1971 when he acquired the Havells brand from its founder Haveli Ram Gandhi for Rs 700000. Havells Before Qimat Rai Gupta Havells was not named after Gupta. It was originally established by Haveli Ram Gandhi who is also the grandfather of renowned Indian fashion designer Rohit Gandhi. Gupta initially worked as a distributor for Havells products before deciding to purchase the brand outright. Building Havells As A Market Leader Under Gupta’s leadership Havells grew from a small electrical brand into a market leader in the Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) industry. His vision extended far beyond the company’s initial focus on switches. Havells expanded its product line to include cables lighting fans appliances and geysers. Gupta also invested in cutting-edge manufacturing facilities across India to ensure high-quality products. A strong focus on accessibility made Havells a household name. Gupta also emphasized advertising and branding creating a trusted and recognizable name in the market. Next Gen: Anil Rai Gupta Qimat Rai Gupta’s legacy was carried forward by his son Anil Rai Gupta who joined Havells in 1992. Anil played a crucial role in the company’s continued growth and global expansion. In 2007 Havells acquired German lighting company Sylvania marking a significant international milestone. He successfully led the company through the 2008 global financial crisis. Anil holds an MBA from Wake Forest University USA and a degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce University of Delhi. Today Anil Rai Gupta serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of Havells India Ltd continuing to drive the company’s growth while honoring his father’s vision. Qimat Rai Gupta’s Legacy Qimat Rai Gupta passed away in 2014 at the age of 77 due to a cardiac arrest. At the time of his death his estimated net worth was around $2 billion according to Business Standard.