Tag: Indian Entrepreneurs

Spotlight

Mehul Oswal: Redefining Legacy Through Innovation at Mahendra Jewellers

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The Visionary Behind Kolhapur’s Modern Jewelry Revolution: Mehul Oswal

Nestled in the heart of Kolhapur, a city known for its timeless jewelry craftsmanship, Mahendra Jewellers has long been a beacon of traditional artistry. But in today’s fast-evolving market, preserving heritage alone isn’t enough. That’s where Mehul Oswal, the dynamic Director of Mahendra Jewellers, stepped in with a new vision—fusing legacy with innovation to shape the future of Indian jewelry.

From Legacy to Leadership

Born into a family with deep roots in the jewelry trade, Mehul Oswal is the fourth generation in the industry—carrying forward a rich legacy shaped by decades of craftsmanship and business acumen. Rather than simply inheriting a business, he immersed himself in its day-to-day operations, studied global trends, and introduced thoughtful reforms to reimagine what Mahendra Jewellers could become.

“I owe my energy and enthusiasm to my father and all three of my uncles—Dveichand, Mahendra, Bharat, and my father Chandrakant Oswal. They are the pillars of our new generation,” Mehul shares. “What I am able to do today in the business is because of their unwavering support.”

His mission was clear: modernize the brand while retaining the essence of its heritage.

Customer-Centric Innovation

One of Mehul’s most customer-focused decisions was eliminating the outdated lunch-hour closure tradition. “Our clients travel from far and wide. Making them wait was never an option,” he shares. By recruiting additional staff and optimizing work shifts, Mahendra Jewellers now operates 365 days a year—without compromising employee well-being.

This move, while simple in concept, represented Mehul’s broader philosophy: innovation must serve people—customers and team members alike.

Diamond Dreams and Beyond

Taking a bold leap, Mehul championed the integration of diamond jewelry into a traditionally gold-centric business. Convincing his seniors, including his father, was no easy feat—but the outcome proved the risk worthwhile. Mahendra Jewellers now offers a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary diamond designs, drawing in a new generation of clientele.

This diversification placed Mahendra Jewellers as the first IGI-certified diamond jewelry brand in western Maharashtra—a true milestone for the region.

Shaping the Future with Strategic Growth

To ensure Mahendra Jewellers stays ahead, Mehul emphasizes continuous learning and feedback. From attending global jewelry conferences to organizing employee training sessions and market research initiatives, every step is carefully orchestrated to anticipate trends and customer preferences.

The brand is also preparing for expansion, with focused inventory strategies, high-impact product launch campaigns, and a renewed digital presence.

Accolades & Achievements

Under Mehul’s leadership, Mahendra Jewellers became:

  • The first to receive gold and silver hallmark licenses in their region
  • The first ISO 9001 certified jewelry company in western Maharashtra
  • The pioneers of platinum jewelry launch in their area

These honors reflect not only compliance but the brand’s commitment to quality, authenticity, and trust.

Beyond Business

When not innovating in the jewelry world, Mehul indulges in long drives, yoga, and exploring new cultures through travel. His favorite destinations—Dubai and Greece—mirror the blend of modern luxury and timeless history that also defines his jewelry philosophy.

Mahendra Jewellers under Mehul Oswal isn’t just a store—it’s a movement.
A movement that respects tradition while embracing the future, led by a man who dreams of every household in Kolhapur owning a piece of their craftsmanship.

Spotlight

GM Rao: From Andhra Roots to Global Runways

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GMR Group founder GM Rao has earned the moniker “Airport Tycoon of India”, and for good reason. Under his leadership, the GMR Group operates and manages India’s largest airports while also expanding its influence in Greece, the Philippines, and beyond.

Born in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, GM Rao began his entrepreneurial journey in 1978 with a jute mill. Over the years, that seed of ambition grew into a diversified empire comprising 28 companies across energy, transportation, aviation, and urban infrastructure.

With a net worth of ₹25,060 crore, Rao stands among India’s 100 richest individuals, as per Forbes.

🏢 GMR Group at a Glance:

  • Revenue: ₹10,836 crore
  • Key Companies: GMR Airports, GMR Infrastructure, GMR Energy, GMR Enterprises
  • Airport Portfolio:
    • Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
    • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
    • Manohar International Airport, Goa
    • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur (in collaboration with MIHAN India)

Internationally, GMR has active airport projects in Greece and the Philippines, making it the second-largest private airport operator globally.

In January 2024, GMR further cemented its commitment to aviation by launching the GMR School of Aviation in Hyderabad, in collaboration with Airbus. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of aviation professionals.

Beyond infrastructure, GM Rao also owns a 50% stake in IPL team Delhi Capitals, blending business with the cricketing passion of millions.

💡 Visionary in PPP Projects

One of Rao’s lasting legacies is his effective use of the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Through this approach, GMR has led transformative projects that bridge gaps in critical infrastructure, fuel growth, and create sustainable models of development.

GM Rao’s story is a masterclass in vision, perseverance, and nation-building. From a single jute mill to shaping the future of air travel and infrastructure in India and abroad, he remains a monumental figure in the country’s economic landscape.

Business

Zomato Founder Deepinder Goyal to Venture into Aviation with LAT Aerospace

allycaralgoa

New Delhi, July 2025 — In a bold new leap, Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO of food-tech giant Zomato, has announced his foray into the aviation industry with the launch of LAT Aerospace, a venture that signals his growing interest in India’s expanding mobility and infrastructure sectors.

Known for revolutionizing food delivery and restaurant discovery in India, Goyal now sets his sights on the skies—diversifying into a domain far removed from his digital roots but no less ambitious. LAT Aerospace is expected to focus on next-generation aviation technologies, with early indications pointing toward regional connectivity, air logistics, and aviation infrastructure innovation.

While detailed plans remain under wraps, industry insiders suggest that LAT Aerospace may target tier-2 and tier-3 city aviation solutions, a segment that aligns with India’s push for regional air mobility under the UDAN scheme. The venture is also rumored to be exploring unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tech-driven solutions for cargo transport and air navigation support.

A Visionary’s Next Frontier

Deepinder Goyal’s track record speaks volumes. Having built Zomato into a household name and taken it public in 2021, his strategic mindset and tech-first approach have consistently disrupted traditional industries. LAT Aerospace seems to be an extension of this mindset—tapping into an underserved, high-potential market with a fresh perspective.

“India’s aviation sector is at an inflection point,” Goyal reportedly shared in a closed-door investor interaction. “There’s a massive opportunity to improve connectivity, logistics, and safety through innovation and smart infrastructure. LAT Aerospace is our attempt to do just that.”

The move also reflects a growing trend of Indian tech entrepreneurs stepping into infrastructure-heavy sectors, leveraging digital expertise to solve problems in traditional industries—from mobility to energy.

LAT Aerospace: What We Know So Far

  • Founder: Deepinder Goyal
  • Industry Focus: Aviation, regional air mobility, aerospace tech
  • Stage: Early development
  • Headquarters: Likely to be based in Delhi-NCR or Bengaluru
  • Backers: Yet to be disclosed, though Goyal is expected to fund the initial phase personally

What This Means for India’s Startup Ecosystem

Goyal’s pivot into aerospace is emblematic of the second wave of Indian entrepreneurship—where unicorn founders are branching into deeper, more complex problems with national significance. LAT Aerospace joins a small but growing cohort of startups focused on aviation tech, drone logistics, and air infrastructure, including companies like Asteria, Garuda Aerospace, and IdeaForge.

As India aspires to become a global aviation hub, LAT Aerospace could emerge as a key player in building the backbone of that vision, especially if it brings Goyal’s hallmark traits—tech-enabled execution, user-centric design, and operational scalability—into the fold.