From Homemade Pickles to a Global Brand: The Story of Kalpana Saroj

Success Story Kamani Tubes: The one who faced only pain and suffering from childhood to youth is today the owner of a company worth crores. Kalpana is managing a company worth 900 crores today. Kalpana Saroj, the chairperson of 'Kamani Tubes' is an inspiration for everyone. The one who faced child marriage, domestic violence, insult in family and relationships, has today set up a company worth crores.

It is said that if the spirits are high, then even barren land can be made fertile. There are many such moments in life when it seems that everything is over. But, those who manage themselves at that time, become stories and inspire others. Such is the story of Kalpana Saroj, born in 'Vidarbha' of Maharashtra. There was a time when Kalpana wanted to end her life. But, that one moment changed her life. The one who faced only pain and suffering from childhood to youth. Today she is the owner of a company worth crores. Kalpana is managing a company worth 900 crores today. Today's story is of Kalpana Saroj, Chairperson of 'Kamani Tubes'.

Kalpana was born in 'Vidarbha' of Maharashtra. The family was very poor. Kalpana had to work since childhood to earn two meals a day. Kalpana used to make cow dung cakes and sell them. The little money she got from that helped to run the house somehow. She was only 10 years old when she was married to a man 10 years older than her. After marriage, Kalpana moved from Vidarbha to the slums of Mumbai. As soon as she came to Mumbai, she also left her studies. Her in-laws' house was no less than hell for her. She had to face domestic violence in her in-laws' house. Her body was covered with wounds due to the beatings of her in-laws and husband.

One day, somehow she ran away from her in-laws' house and returned to her home. But, troubles were already waiting for her there. Kalpana and her family were punished for leaving their in-laws' house. The Panchayat stopped all relations with Kalpana's family. Kalpana, who was facing so many difficulties, had lost the courage to live. She tried to commit suicide, but someone saved her. That was a moment that changed Kalpana's life. From that moment onwards, she decided to live only for herself.

Rise from the Ashes: Mumbai, 16 and Fearless

Kalpana returned to Mumbai at the age of 16. Someone she knew got her a job in a garment company. There she was paid Rs 2 per day. While working there, she tried to understand the work. She understood that there is a lot of work in the garment sector. She decided to start her own business. With the help of a government scheme, she got some money on loan. She bought a sewing machine and now she started sewing clothes for people herself. Her income increased from Rs 2 to Rs 10. Kalpana worked for 17-18 hours. From whatever she earned, she kept some for her own living and sent the rest home.

The Entrepreneur Awakens

Kalpana started a furniture store with some money left from her savings. Then she also opened a beauty parlor. During this time, she came to know that the Supreme Court was asking the workers to restart Kamani Tubes, which was closed for 17 years. Kalpana restarted the company with the help of those workers. Although she faced many challenges, she did not give up. Today Kamani Tubes is doing a turnover of crores.

Kalpana had no experience of running a company, nor of handling management. She did not even have education or a degree. If she had anything, it was the urge to learn. This urge did not let her stop anywhere. When one company became successful, she started thinking about another company. When Kamani Tubes' work started, she started working on setting up another company. That is why today she has many companies. At present, Kalpana is managing dozens of companies like Kamani Tubes, Kamani Steels, KS Creations, Kalpana Builder and Developers, Kalpana Associates.

“If the spirits are high, even barren land can bloom.”
Kalpana didn’t just survive—she rewrote the rules of survival. And in doing so, she became a name that will echo through generations.