Updated: January 30, 2025 5:03 PM IST 
Success doesn’t come easily, and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of dedication, hard work, and most importantly, a strong vision to build something extraordinary. One such inspiring story is that of Rajinder Gupta, a businessman from Ludhiana, Punjab, who started with humble beginnings and went on to create a company worth over USD 1 billion. Today, he stands as Ludhiana’s richest man, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2024. In fact, he is one of only two billionaires in the city. He is also said to be popularly known as “Punjab’s Dhirubhai Ambani.”
On August 29, 2024, Hurun India released its list of the 100 richest people in India. The report also highlighted the wealthiest individuals in different cities. Rajinder Gupta, the Founder and Chairman of Trident Group, was named as Ludhiana’s richest person.
Coming from a low-income family, Rajinder Gupta faced many challenges in his early years. At just 14 years old, while studying in ninth grade, he had to drop out of school due to financial difficulties.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that he got a chance to explore bigger opportunities. In the beginning, he worked on making cement pipes and candles, earning just Rs. 30 per day. However, in 1985, he took a bold step and started Abhishek Industries, a fertilizer manufacturing company, which proved to be a successful move. By 1991, he expanded his business further by partnering with another company to start a spinning mill, taking his entrepreneurial journey to the next level.
Building a global business in a highly competitive market is no easy task. It requires determination, innovation, and the ability to create products that are recognized worldwide. Rajinder Gupta demonstrated all these qualities when he laid the foundation for Trident Group.
His entrepreneurial journey began during India’s economic liberalization when the country was opening up new opportunities for businesses. In 1985, he founded Abhishek Industries, which focused on fertilizer manufacturing. By 1991, he expanded his business by setting up a spinning mill in partnership with another company. In 1996, he moved his business operations to Chandigarh, further growing his empire. Today, Trident Group has factories in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
While Trident is well-known for its home textiles, paper, and chemicals, it is also a major producer of bath and bed linens, including towels, duvets, and fitted sheets.
Rajinder Gupta is a first-generation entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in setting up and running successful businesses. His contributions extend beyond business—he is actively involved in philanthropic activities and community service.
His achievements have been widely recognized. In 2007, he was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri Award by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for his contributions to industry and society. In 2005, he received the Udyog Ratna Award from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award from the President of India. He has also attended an Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School to enhance his leadership skills.
As per Forbes, Rajinder Gupta is a billionaire, with a net worth of USD 1.6 billion in 2024, up from $1.4 billion in 2023. However, his fortune has decreased from USD 2.6 billion in 2022 due to market fluctuations.
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