Page 97 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2021

SHRI RAMNIKLAL

MODI

ALANKAR OPTICIANS, MUMBAI

(AGE 91)
RAMNIKLAL MODI
WITH FAMILY

TIO: Let us start this feature with a brief
history of your company. Please tell us how,
when and where you started this company?
Ramniklal Modi (RM): I was born and raised
in a tiny village called Barpatuli in the rural
interiors of Gujarat. I came to Mumbai in 1948
and worked as a salesperson, travelling city
to city and door-to-door to sell frames. After
working for about two decades, I started the
journey of creating Alankar Opticians with
my colleague and partner, Shri Jayanti Bhai
Shah. In early 1975, my eldest son, Shailesh
Modi, joined the brand to strengthen the retail
sector of Alankar. In 1980 and 1985, Alankar was
reinforced further with the addition of Praful
Modi, my second son and Rajesh Modi, my
youngest son. Today, my grandsons Saurabh
and Viraj have also joined the firm, and are
adding further mileage to the business. Burt & Smith, was the first one to give us goods
on credit. Similarly, Das Bhai of Panama, Fida
TIO: At that time, the industry was still at a Hussein Seth of F.A. Chasmawalla from Baroda,
nascent stage. What kind of challenges did you Shashikant Bhai of I-lite & Elite - Montex Group
face and how did you overcome them? also helped us during our developing stages.
RM: I started my journey with my colleague The biggest challenge was to prove ourselves
and partner, Jayantibhai Shah in 1968 at a time and that’s where the aforementioned patriarchs
when the industry was still very young. We faced came forward to help us. Travelling was another
several challenges in establishing the name of major challenge as I was away from home
Alankar. Mr. Malbari from Surat, who owned for 6-9 months. The only mindset for a good

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