Ravi Matthai: the man who took management beyond the boardroom

Ravi Matthai: the institution builder who took management beyond the boardroom Sundeep Khanna 4 min read5 Sep 2026, 07: 00 AM IST.

Key points

• Ravi Matthai supported build IIM Ahmedabad, then took management to Rajasthan's villages and assisted create IRMA, leaving behind institutions that shaped how India managed business and development.
• By the 1920s, the first multinationals had arrived in India.
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What happened

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By the 1920s, the first multinationals had arrived in India. Nestle had been selling condensed milk through agents in Bombay and Calcutta since 1912, Siemens set up its India unit in 1922, and Bata opened its first stores in 1926 before starting production in Konnagar in 1931. Meanwhile, Lever Brothers was already planning a manufacturing presence in 1923.

The bottom line

In short, ravi Matthai: the man who took management beyond the boardroom is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.