The Industrialist Ahead of Her Times
While talking about the industrial history of India, names that come to mind are men rather than women who had been making their mark in the industry. The life story of Sharayu Daftary gives us a different picture altogether. She was an industrialist, corporate leader, Jain scholar and advocate of women’s emancipation whose life was driven by the spirit of enterprise, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Born in 1933, Sharayu Daftary came from the illustrious Walchand family and lived during the time when the industrialisation process was taking place in India. The members of the Walchand family were involved in setting up some of the pioneering industrial units in the country. Nevertheless, being born into an industrial family did not guarantee a place for her in it. Being born at a time when attitudes toward women were not favourable, she could not join the family business.
Establishing Bharat Radiators
Sharayu Daftary established Bharat Radiators Ltd. when she was just 25 years old, in 1958. According to reports, Daftary had started the company with an investment of ₹2 lakh and just five workers. It was indeed a tough task to establish an industrial enterprise, especially for a woman at that age and during that time.
The company Bharat Radiators Ltd. functioned in the automobile-components and engineering industry, which was not easy to enter as it involved knowledge and expertise, and also the ability to handle the industrial world of men. Daftary stayed connected with the company for decades and went on to become the Managing Director of the company.
Daftary’s concept of good leadership was more than production and profits. She felt that the workers should be given responsibilities and treated with trust. She always talked about trusting the workers and giving them production instructions along with the responsibility of monitoring their own performance.
It is said that the workers from Bharat Radiators started fondly referring to her as "Tai", which means elder sister in Hindi. This was an indication of the kind of personal equation she shared with the workers that she led.
Breaking the Corporate Glass Ceiling
The influence of Daftary did not remain confined to the corporation she was associated with. The successes that she achieved led her into some of the most important business institutions in India, becoming a path-breaking figure for women.
She became the first woman president of the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association of India, presently known as ACMA, in 1971. It is important to note that the role was notable because the industries of automobiles and engineering were extremely male-dominated. This shows that women can take up decision-making roles in industries which are highly industrialized and technical.
Ten years down the line, Daftary once again achieved a milestone. She became the first woman president of the Indian Merchants' Chamber in 1981. The post meant that she became an important figure within the business community of India. She once again occupied the same post in 2000, showing that her influence within the institution went well beyond just being a symbol.
Other important achievements of Daftary include her becoming the first woman member of the executive committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, commonly referred to as FICCI.
Beyond Industry: Jainism and Social Thinking
While her business was indeed integral to her identity, the life of Daftary could not possibly be confined merely to her industrial accomplishments. Her beliefs in Jainism shaped her entire way of thinking and perceiving the world around her.
As a practising Jain, Daftary participated actively in Jain societies and even became the president of Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha. Further, she had a connection with Jain Bodhak, a periodical related to her family, where she worked on issues of Jain philosophy and society.
The most fascinating thing about her works was her notion of equality between women and men. At a time when the issue of women's rights was gaining momentum in Indian society, Daftary claimed that the issue of equality need not be treated as an imposition of an alien idea on the doctrine of Jainism. Rather, according to her, it was completely acceptable for Jain dharma.
This made her view of feminism unique. Instead of perceiving tradition as something contradictory to equality, she tried to understand her religious tradition from the perspective of the dignity, autonomy, and participation of women in society.
Leadership with a Human Touch
Daftary’s professional career and religious philosophies were linked by one single concept – a sense of responsibility. Whether leading an industrial firm, representing interests of Indian enterprises or serving within Jain communities, she saw that leadership is more than being placed in an authoritative position.
What was unique about Daftary is that not only did she seek to enter the realms that were traditionally off-limits to women but also tried to reformulate the very concept of leadership within those realms. The way she worked with the employees, her participation in social organizations and even her writings on women’s equality all pointed to her conception of leadership as something more than merely having power.
Moreover, her life disproved the idea that in order to be professionally successful, a woman should sacrifice either a family life or social life. She was married to Arvind Gaurishankar Daftary, who encouraged her to pursue her ambitions, and they had three daughters. Her professional life went along with family responsibilities, thus making it socially important.
Recognition and National Contribution
The magnitude of Daftary's contribution was ultimately acknowledged on a national scale. In 2004, she received the Padma Shri award for her contribution to the world of industry. She was also acknowledged in the community of Jains for her contributions and dedication to Jain philosophy.
Yet, the award does not convey the true nature of the magnitude of her contribution. One of the things that make Daftary's achievements so unique is the era in which she made them happen. She entered the world of industrial entrepreneurship in the late 1950s and remained a leader in national industrial organisations until much later.
Therefore, her career spans an entire era of tremendous changes in Indian history, starting with the first decades of independence and leading up to the opening of the country to the outside world and economic liberalisation.
A Legacy Beyond the "Firsts"
Sharayu Daftary died in May 2025 at the age of 91. The passing of Sharayu Daftary marked the end of a unique journey spanning over six decades of service. Obituaries mentioned her not just as an industrialist, but as a Jain community leader and a philanthropist, a values-driven professional, and one who blended professional excellence with social conscience.
One cannot but recall Sharayu Daftary in terms of the term "first": first lady president of ACMA, first lady president of the Indian Merchants' Chamber, and first lady executive member of FICCI. The list of firsts is important because she was truly an exception within the Indian business leadership of the twentieth century.
However, Daftary has managed to surpass these landmarks. Not only did Daftary manage to enter into male-dominated areas, but she also made herself her own road when she was rejected by the family enterprise. The small beginning with five people became her industrial career that lasted several decades. Furthermore, Sharayu Daftary used her place within the Jain institutions to address issues of equality, suggesting that the concept of the dignity of a woman could be seen through the prism of the tradition.
Sharayu Daftary is thus not a mere example of a female entrepreneur who succeeded in business. This is the story of the way in which exclusion turns into the chance to build one's own path. Moreover, this is the case where professional success goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility and personal conviction. The life of this woman serves as a reminder that a broken barrier is just the beginning of a truly important endeavour.
References:
- Institute of Jain Studies- https://isjs-newsletter.in
- Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA)- https://www.acma.in
- Indian Merchants' Chamber- https://www.imcnet.org
- Jain Samaj- https://www.jainsamaj.org