'Mahashay' Dharampal Gulati, the owner of the famed MDH spices, passed away on Thursday at the age of 97. According to reports, the ‘King of Spices’ or ‘MDH Uncle’ as he was popularly known as, had been undergoing treatment at a hospital for the past few days and suffered a cardiac arrest at 5.30 am on Thursday.
Born on March 27, 1923 in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), Gulati dropped out of school during Class 5 and joined his father’s spice business. He moved to India after the Partition and soon set up Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) out of a rented store in Delhi’s Chandani Chowk. In 1959, he opened a store in Delhi’s Karol Bagh, and from there, he was instrumental in building MDH into one of India's leading spice brand. Today, MDH has a range of over 62 products, available in over 150 different packages, and is shipped to consumers all over the world. The company has over two dozen factories in India and supplies products to over 4 lakh dealers across the world. Gulati also became synonymous with the brand, his smiling face a regular in MDH television and print advertisements.
Dharampal Gulati was involved in social work as well, as reports state that almost 90% of his salary went to charity. In 2019, Gulati was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by President Ram Nath Kovind. He is survived by two children.
Several Union Ministers, celebrities and political leaders expressed their condolences at the MDH owner’s death.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was saddened by Dharampal Gulati’s passing. “He started his small business and made a mark of himself. He was very active in social work and remained active till the very last moment,” Rajnath tweeted.
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal expressed his sorrow over the MDH owner’s death, stating that he had “spread the fragrance of India’s spices to the whole world.”
भारत के प्रतिष्ठित कारोबारियों में से एक महाशय धर्मपालजी के निधन से मुझे दुःख की अनुभूति हुई है।छोटे व्यवसाय से शुरू करने बावजूद उन्होंने अपनी एक पहचान बनाई। वे सामाजिक कार्यों में काफ़ी सक्रिय थे और अंतिम समय तक सक्रिय रहे। मैं उनके परिवार के प्रति अपनी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 3, 2020
देश के मसालों की सुगंध को पूरे विश्व मे फैलाने वाले, पद्मभूषण पुरस्कार से सम्मानित महाशय धर्मपाल गुलाटी जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ।
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 3, 2020
अपनी उद्यमिता से स्वदेशी व आत्मनिर्भरता के साथ ही उन्होंने सामाजिक कार्यों का एक आदर्श स्थापित किया। ईश्वर उन्हें मोक्ष प्रदान करें। ॐ शांतिः pic.twitter.com/Nzi0zA6VPw
“Dharm Pal ji was very inspiring personality. He dedicated his life for the society. God bless his soul,” tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “I have never met such an inspiring and lively soul. May his soul rest in peace.”
Dharm Pal ji was very inspiring personality. He dedicated his life for the society. God bless his soul. https://t.co/gORaAi3nD9
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 3, 2020