Masala King Dr Dhananjay Datar is chairman and managing director of Al Adil Trading, Dubai, UAE. He is a self-made entrepreneur who has carved a unique niche in the retail sector. Dr Datar was raised in rural India in poverty, which taught him self-reliance, frugality and hard work. He started his business career in 1984 as an intern in a small grocery shop established by his father in Dubai. With honesty, hard work and determination, he carved the world-famous business group Al Adil out of a tiny shop.
Today, his group encompasses a chain of 47 spacious super stores spread across the Gulf, two spice factories and two flour mills equipped with modern technology, with an import-export company acting as an Indian arm. The rulers of UAE felicitated Dr Datar with a prestigious award and the title Masala King in 2001 for his invaluable contribution to the business sector.
Quality Indian products
Recognised as an ISO 22000-, HACCP-, GMP- and GHPcertified company in 2006, Al Adil Trading has performed a key role in bringing more than 9,000 Indian products to the UAE. The group also produces more than 700 products in categories such as readymade flours, spices, pickles, jams, Namkeen and instants, under its own brand, Peacock.
Over the past 36 years, Dr Datar has been serving authentic, hygienic and secure Indian foodstuff to the customers across the GCC. Al Adil Group is actively expanding its presence in other Gulf countries. It has already established special trade routes in the US, Canada, Kenya, Switzerland, Italy, Eretria, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Philanthropic initiatives
Dr Datar has been honoured with various international awards for his excellence and quality of products. Apart from business, he and his family have been acclaimed for their philanthropic work and contribution to social service. Last year, Dr Datar, his wife Vandana, and sons Hrishikesh and Rohit extended their helping hand to the penniless Indians who were stranded in Dubai due to the pandemic and were desperately waiting to return home. Dr Datar offered to help by sponsoring their air travel, conducting free medical tests and distributing food packets. He organised the travel of more than 5,000 people including jobless workers, pregnant women, children, students and travellers. What he truly learned from this challenge was a leadership lesson: Service to mankind is service to God.
Dr Datar feels that over the next five years the biggest economic game changer will be social entrepreneurship and innovation.
Dr Dhananjay Datar on… UAE-India trade relations
“The UAE will play a crucial role for Indian businesses as a global business hub and a gateway to Gulf and African countries. In return, the economy of the UAE will flourish with Indian co-operation. Various business sectors will benefit from this partnership.”
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