When it comes to Indian spices, MDH is the first name that springs up in every mind. And who doesn’t know the man behind this massive spice company; after all he has featured in almost all the ads of the company. It is quite sad that the man behind MDH masala left for heavenly abode this morning, Thursday 3rd December. May his soul rest his peace.

Mahashay Dharampal Gulati suffered a cardiac arrest in the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for the last 3 weeks. He became synonymous with the brand and became known to every child as well.

Born in 1923 to Mahashay Chunni Lal Gulati in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), Mahashay Dharampal moved to Delhi after the partition of India. He opened his masala shop in a shack and started selling spices taking forward the business set up just like his father. Then he moved to Karol Bagh and expanded the business from there.  

In 1959, he opened a factory in Kirti Nagar, Delhi. From here he built the entire group to become India’s leading spices manufacturers and expanded to 15 factories. Last year in one of his interview he said, “My motivation to work is being sincere in product quality sold at affordable prices. And nearly 90% of my salary goes to charity in my personal capacity.”

He was the highest paid FMCG CEO in India in 2017. MDH under the guidance and leadership of Mahashay Dharampal Gulati developed more than 20 schools. In 1975, he started a 10-bed eye hospital in Subhash Nagar, Delhi, and later a 20-bed eye hospital in Janakpuri in 1984. This hospital now has 300 beds and is situated in a 5 acre land.

No one is ever going to forget this “dadaji” (he was fondly addressed this way). MDH masalas have made their way on every kitchen shelf. Be it red chilli powder as Degi Mirch, or be it meat masala going into the handi or be it the tangy chaat masala, Mahashay Dharampal Gualti will be remembered every minute during the meals in every home.