Dubai: Perseverance, hard work, integrity, etiquette and patience are the five principles of success, according to Dhananjay Datar, Managing Director and Chairman of Al Adil Trading. Datar, a household name today.
Datar, who once struggled to meet the basic necessities of life, has spoken openly about his humble beginnings in his autobiography which will be released in Dubai today amid the company’s 38th anniversary celebrations.
He said his childhood made him frugal, self-sufficient and prepared him for challenges. Datar, who lived in a small village called Shirkhed in India before moving here, said: “My lunch box had roti and chutney. My uniform was patched and generally worn. I wore the same uniform every day of the year.
However, at the age of 16, Datar got a passport. “My father, who came to Dubai, sent me a plane ticket, along with detailed travel instructions in a letter. At that time, phone calls were very expensive,” Datar said.
First trip to Dubai
On February 26, 1984, he flew for the first time in his life for his trip to Dubai. “There was another young boy traveling with me on the same flight. The lady at the check-in counter was full of admiration for us and she decided to upgrade us from economy class to business class. So, on my first flight, I traveled in business class! For a poor boy, you can imagine how important that was.
Datar’s autobiography, titled “Masala King – a journey of memories”, is said to be an ode to all those who contributed to the success of Al Adil Trading which marks 38 years of its presence in the United Arab Emirates and the Cooperation Council of the Gulf (GCC).
“I’ve shared my five principles for success in the book which also highlights my advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on how to face financial challenges in a volatile market and emerge successfully. Emphasis is also put on the importance of physical fitness and maintaining good health. All the money you earn is useless if your health is not good,” Datar said.
Al Adil, which has 50 outlets in the GCC and India, also has its own manufacturing unit in Al Quoz, where it produces masalas, spices, pickles, flours, pulses and other food products. Indians under the Peacock brand. It also has an Indian branch, Masala King Exports in Mumbai (India), which exports Indian pulses.
Datar said: “The secret to our success is that we know the pulse of the expatriate Indian community. Also, success is a journey, not a destination.
business courses
“The customer is king,” Datar continued. “We listened to our customers and delivered good quality products to the best of our abilities. Then comes profit. Every business should be conducted with the aim of making a profit, but in an ethical manner. A profitable business brings success.
Datar also believes that entrepreneurship should be taught from an early age. “Even if it’s your own children, teach them to be independent.”
“At the beginning, our shops were managed in a traditional way. There was no system in place to organize the products properly. But we changed all that for the benefit of our customers. We didn’t want them queuing for their items,” Datar added.
Datar said post-pandemic it has become clear that one of the most successful businesses is the food industry. “Nobody stopped eating. We took advantage of the economy of scale and passed it on to our customers. Since we buy food products in bulk, we pass on the benefits of pricing to our customers. Our prices are reasonable,” Datar explained.
fight depression
Datar, who also battled depression, shares his experience in his autobiography. He wrote about how he used yoga and meditation to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. “Mental illness is a big problem. However, it is one that is not openly discussed. When you face it and face it, you get great benefits. There is no shame in saying that you have a mental illness. What is essential to overcome it is to let the world know about it. That’s why I talked about it in my autobiography,” he said.