Meet man who once worked as peon, lived in warehouse, now owns Rs 145000 crore company, he is known as India’s…

Self-made success stories are most inspirational as they make you believe in the power of unwavering dedication and passion. O

One such inspiring story is of Balvant Parekh, a law graduate, a book lover, a peon, and a freedom fighter, who then became a successful entrepreneur in post-independence India. Parekh established the billion-dollar company Pidilite Industries, the company behind Fevicol, and is famous as 'The Fevicol Man of India.' He was also a man with philanthropic values who founded two schools, a college and a hospital in Mahuva, Gujarat.

Balvant Parekh also known as Balvantray Kalyanji Parekh, was born in Mahuva, Gujarat. During the struggle for independence, Parekh, as the country's youth, also participated in the struggle for freedom before deciding to study law. He was involved in the Quit India movement, but he chose to study law because of family pressure. 

Even though he cleared the Bar Council Exam and completed a law degree, his passion was still in business. Residing in a factory basement with his wife and working as a peon, he had to face many hardships. 

Thereafter, he got an opportunity to visit Germany and there he gained business knowledge. In Mumbai, he and his brother established Parekh Dyechem Industries. They created the adhesive known as Fevicol. 

In 1959, Fevicol was launched in India. The business changed its name to Pidilite Industries in the same year. Fevicol became famous as an approachable glue designed specifically for carpenters. Pidilite Industries started as a single small shop and eventually expanded to rule the Indian market. Currently, the company has a market capitalization of about Rs 145000 crore.