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Business News/ News / India/  Godrej Industries boss says need to unify country; urges govt, industry to do more
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Godrej Industries boss says need to unify country; urges govt, industry to do more

Billionaire Nadir Godrej also said that the country is doing very well on the economic front and also undertaking welfare measures like financial inclusion and education

Nadir Godrej, current managing director of Godrej Industries.Premium
Nadir Godrej, current managing director of Godrej Industries.

Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Limited, has said that efforts ought to be made to “try and unify the country and stop dividing the country". The industrialist has urged the government as well as the industry to "do more" on this aspect.

Billionaire Nadir Godrej also said that the country is doing very well on the economic front and also undertaking welfare measures like financial inclusion and education.

Speaking to news agency PTI on the sidelines of a book launch earlier this week, he said, "…I think we need to try and unify the country and stop dividing the country. I think that is important and I am sure the government also recognises the economic growth requires that, and we should be focusing on that."

When asked if India Inc also needs to do more on this front, the boss of Godrej Industries stated, "Of course, industry should try and do things also by trying to be as inclusive as possible. And the government should also do more."

His comments are rare among top industrialists, who generally refrain from speaking on social or political matters. The late industrialist Rahul Bajaj had in 2019 said that fear of reprisals prevents captains of industry from speaking out. 

Adi Godrej on hate crimes damaging growth

Adi Godrej, Nadir's elder brother and predecessor who helmed the business, had also warned in 2019 that rising intolerance and hate crimes can seriously damage growth.

Earlier, speaking at the event, Nadir Godrej delivered a speech in a poem format which touched upon a slew of issues.

The industrialist said he would like to see more free speech where the "state's long arm doesn't reach and crushes voices that oppose".

He made it clear that we need to create a space "where active debate thrives and grows, where ideas win because they are right and not because of their own might." 

Our thoughts need to be humanitarian, and not sectarian, he said, adding that while there are a lot of reasons to cheer, there is fear sometimes that things are not on track and we may be moving back as well. 

We need strong institutions, he said, adding that building them takes long while they can be subverted or broken quickly. 

He said businesses also need to realise that delivering profits is not the only goal, and stressed that one can do well for oneself by doing good as well. 

We need to aspire for both social rights and economic growth, Godrej said, adding that inequality is "dire" and getting harder. 

Highlighting the present theme of ESG (environment, social, governance) dominating boardroom discussions, Godrej said we do not need a world which is just green but need to create a "brave new world" which is green, fair and does away with inequality.

"Environment isn't all, on society let us take a call; let's keep in sight every person's human right," he added. 

Touching on the freebies debate, he said the economy cannot take all doles in its stride and also welcomed the Supreme Court's moves pressing for a decisive action on the topic.

He, however, said government spending should happen on public health and education, and termed the latter as the passport to realising the oft quoted demographic dividend. 

The industrialist also touched upon the Centre-state relations while enlisting his set of concerns. 

On the economy, he said the GST collections are a hopeful sign and added that we are on a better track as commodity prices are on the decline and the domestic inflation should be fine.

The economy is growing fast, and there are signs that the same will last, he added.

He said the speciality chemicals, where the Godrej group has interests, is doing well after the pandemic.  

On the Godrej family split

Asked about any progress on the Godrej family split, Nadir Godrej declined to comment. He also did not offer a timeline for the same.

The $4.1 billion Godrej Group, spanning from soaps and home appliances to real estate, was reportedly headed for a split between the brothers, citing external advice the family has sought for an amicable division of the 124-year-old conglomerate.

Recently, Nadir Godrej has received the 'Exemplary Industrialist of the Nation' award for his outstanding contributions to the Indian industry and his role in bringing pride to the nation.

Godrej was selected as the winner of this award in recognition of his achievements as a conscientious, well-respected, and prosperous industrialist.

With agency inputs

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Published: 04 Sep 2022, 03:18 PM IST
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