‘Masala-king’ Dharampal Gulati dies at 98, condolences pour in from all spectrum
Mahashay Dharampal Gulati, the Padma Bhushan awardee entrepreneur and the owner of MDH Spices dies this morning, at the age of 97. He had been under treatment in a hospital in Delhi for the last few weeks.
A familiar face on the products from MDH Masala, his signature pearl necklace, the red turban, and an ever-smiling face, the ‘grand old man of spices’ was the face of the TVCs (advertisements) of MDH (Mahashiyan Di Hatti).
Netizens are recalling his smiling face shown at the closing of the ads, posting on social media platforms, with the tagline “Asli MasaleSach Sach, MDH, MDH”. Last year, the masala-man was awarded the Padma Bhushan, which is India’s third-highest civilian award.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted – “Saddened by the demise of ‘Mahashiyan Di Hatti’ (MDH) President Shri DharampalGulati Ji, who was honored with Padma Bhushan. He was a well-known personality in the Indian industry. His social service activities are also commendable. My condolences to his family and fans”. (Roughly translated from Hindi)
पद्म भूषण से सम्मानित, 'महाशयां दी हट्टी' (एमडीएच) के अध्यक्ष श्री धर्मपाल गुलाटी जी के निधन से दुःख हुआ। वे भारतीय उद्योग जगत के एक प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व थे। समाज सेवा के लिए किये गए उनके कार्य भी सराहनीय हैं। उनके परिवार व प्रशंसकों के प्रति मेरी शोक-संवेदनाएं। pic.twitter.com/9Z2e5Rgl82
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 3, 2020
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were among the first people to post their tributes on Twitter.
“Dharam Pal Ji was a very inspiring personality. He dedicated his life for society. God bless his soul”, tweeted Kejriwal; while Sisodia’s tweet read – “India’s most inspiring entrepreneur, MDH owner Dharam Pal Mahashay passed away this morning. I have never met such an inspiring and lovely soul. May his soul rest in peace.”
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan also gave his tribute to the spices king
श्रद्धेय श्री धर्मपाल गुलाटी जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) December 3, 2020
देश के युवा उद्यमियों के लिए आप सर्वदा प्रेरणा के महान स्रोत रहेंगे।
ईश्वर से दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति और परिजनों को यह गहन दु:ख सहन करने की शक्ति देने की प्रार्थना करता हूं। ॐ शांति! #DharampalGulati
Born in Pakistan’s Sialkot in the year 1923, fifth-grade dropout Gulati joined his father Mahashay Chunni Lal Gulati’s spice business and moved to Delhi after partition.