Naval Godrej: Pioneer of Progress - Amar Chitra Katha Vol. 856

125 years ago, a visionary young man named Ardeshir Godrej, at the age of 29, established a small factory in Lalbaug, Bombay, to manufacture locks—the first of its kind in India. This humble beginning laid the foundation for what has now become a trusted household name: Godrej. The journey of the Godrej family is one of courage, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Following in the esteemed footsteps of his uncle Ardeshir and father Pirojsha, Naoroji "Naval" Pirojsha Godrej upheld the ideals of 'Swadeshi' and excellence in manufacturing. A self-taught engineer with a passion for mechanical challenges, Naval joined the factory at 17 and learned through hands-on experience on the factory floor. He pioneered India's Machine Tool industry, leading the Godrej team to create the first Indian-made typewriter, refrigerator, and forklift trucks. He worked tirelessly to realize his father's dream of Pirojshanagar as an ideal garden-city and played a crucial role in Godrej’s contributions to the Indian space program. Naval also established the Indian Machine Tools Association and the international exhibition of machine tool manufacturers, IMTEX. Like his predecessors, Naval was deeply committed to philanthropy and charitable initiatives.

Naval's philosophy of responsible corporate behavior and worker welfare was ahead of its time. His soft-spoken, approachable management style and true devotion to the Godrej 'family' ideal will always be remembered and serve as a model for future generations.

Discover more about our rich history and commitment to innovation at Godrej.