Dinesh Lakra (October 2, 1964 – April 30, 2021) was an Indian entrepreneur and industrialist. He was the founder and Managing Director of Lakra Industries Limited, a prominent textile manufacturing company based in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Mr. Lakra was recognized for his contributions to the textile industry, particularly in knitting and hosiery. He received several awards and accolades throughout his career and was actively involved in various industry associations and government committees. He was a prominent figure in the Ludhiana textile industry, often quoted in the media regarding industry challenges and government policies.[1]

Early Life and Education

Dinesh Lakra was born on October 2, 1964 in the Indian city of Ludhiana, Punjab. He held a postgraduate degree in management with a specialization in marketing, demonstrating his commitment to business administration and a deep understanding of market dynamics. This specialization equipped him with skills in market analysis, consumer behavior, and strategic planning, essential for leading a successful business in the competitive textile industry. His technical training in advanced knit fabrics from Terrot of Germany and Camber International of the UK provided him with a strong foundation in the technical aspects of textile manufacturing. These international collaborations exposed him to cutting-edge technologies and best practices in the global textile industry, giving him a significant advantage.

Career

Mr. Lakra's textile career began at 22 with Lakra Brothers, evolving into Lakra Industries Ltd., in Ludhiana, a key textile hub. His early leadership propelled the company to become North India's first ISO 9002 certified textile firm, showcasing his commitment to quality. Further, CRISIL ratings validated the company's financial stability.

Lakra Industries emphasized ethical production, achieving WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certification and Sedex certifications. These certifications affirmed the company's adherence to fair labor practices, environmental responsibility, and ethical business conduct. The company produces fabrics, garments, and home furnishings, and supports emerging designers.[2]

Beyond his company, Mr. Lakra played significant roles in industry and government. He chaired the Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of State Technical Campus, demonstrating his commitment to education. He served on the Medium Industry Development Board, Punjab; Ludhiana Integrated Textile Park; Laghu Udyog Bharati; and the Tripartite Committee on Textile Industry, reflecting his industry influence.

As an advocate for SMEs, Lakra addressed critical issues like entry tax and yarn prices. He hailed the withdrawal of Punjab's entry tax in 2011, believing it would boost genuine manufacturers.[3] He opposed the 2015 proposed yarn entry tax, warning it would harm hosiery and knitted fabric manufacturers and lead to monopolistic yarn pricing.[4] He commented on budget impacts on the textile sector, advocated for RBI measures to stimulate demand, and participated in discussions on industry challenges in Ludhiana and Surat. He also highlighted the need for increased female participation in textile manufacturing.[5][6][7]

Awards and Recognition

Mr. Lakra's contributions were recognized with several awards. In 2008, he was awarded the Third Best Performer Award by the National Productivity Council MSME Award from the Governor of Punjab. He also received the NPC MSME Award in the textile industries category.

Other Information

Mr. Lakra published papers in national and international textile magazines and was a renowned speaker at conferences organized by industry associations like CII and Texcon. His advisory role to NIIFT Mohali and his participation as a jury member for NIFT Delhi, NIFT Calcutta, and the conclave of knitwear designs and technology from all NIFT centers in India demonstrate his commitment to nurturing talent. He was also an Executive Member of the Knitwear Club of India, Ludhiana, and a Senior Member of the Ludhiana Management Association.

Death

Dinesh Lakra passed away on April 30, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19. His death was a significant loss to the Ludhiana textile industry. President of Ludhiana Woolen Manufacturers Association and Knitwear Club, Mr. Darshan Dawar acknowledged Mr. Lakra’s passing away as a huge loss to the sector.[8] The industry observed a self-imposed lockdown as a mark of respect and to mitigate the spread of the virus.[9][10]

  1. ^ "Experts make thorough analysis of budget impact". The Times of India. 2013-03-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  2. ^ "'Anukama' showcases budding designers' work". The Times of India. 2011-06-17. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  3. ^ "Traders hail withdrawal of entry tax". The Times of India. 2011-04-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  4. ^ "Industry in a fix over govt's plans to levy entry tax on yarn". Hindustan Times.
  5. ^ "Need to stimulate domestic demand: RBI regional director". Hindustan Times.
  6. ^ "Experts dwell on ways to boost textile sector". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  7. ^ "Duplicate products stifle small-scale industry". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  8. ^ "Ludhiana-based industrialist Dinesh Lakra succumbs to Covid". Hindustan Times. 2021-05-01. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  9. ^ "Ludhiana's hosiery, textile industry go on 3-day self-imposed lockdown". Hindustan Times. 2021-05-03. Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  10. ^ "Highest single-day toll, 20 dead in Ludhiana". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Dinesh_Lakra
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