Mangalore: Dinkar S Alva – Doyen of Indian Textile Industry Passes Away

Report & Pic’s by: Nina Rai
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jun 26: Dinkar Shankar Alva, one of the pioneers of the Indian Textile Industry and Ex. MD of Bombay Dyeing passed away at 1 pm here on Thursday June 25. He was in coma and on ventilator when the end came. Early in Nov., 2008 he was diagnosed with brain tumor.
  
Dinkar Shankar Alva was born on 2 July 1933 in Mangalore, Karnataka to late Shankar Alva and Kamala Alva. He was a double graduate - a BSc; BSc (TECH) from the Madras University. He married Shashikala Alva daughter of the famous Mangalorean gynecologist Dr. Nemraj Alva in the year 1960. The couple has a son Sandeep who is in US and daughter Shamita. Dinkar Alva’s illustrious career began in the year 1954. From 1954 to 58 he was Asst. Weaving Master in Delhi Cloth & General Mills Ltd, while from 1958 to 1960 he was an Industrial Consultant for IBCON Pvt. Ltd.

In 1960, he joined Bombay Dyeing & Mnfg. Co. Ltd as a Sales Executive and held that post till 1966. From then onwards he rose very quickly in his career and was promoted in quick succession. From 1969 to 1974 he became General Manager (Sales). From 1974 to 1975 he was made Sales Director. While from 1976 to 1979 he became Director of the Company. From 1979 to 1988 he rose to being the President while from 1988 to 1998 he reached the top most post to become the Managing Director of the Company.

From 1966 to 69 he was also the General Manager of Anglo French Textiles Limited. After his retirement in 1998 Dinkar Alva took up consultancy in his field of expertise – Textiles. He was a Director on the boards of several companies such as VTC Industries Ltd, Hindustan SPG & WUG Mills Ltd, Banswara Fabrics Ltd (Rajasthan), Sanghi Polyesters Ltd, Thackersay Group of Companies and Indian Cotton Mills Federation. He was also the Chairman of The Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) and Member of Man. Cttee All India Exporters Chamber.

Speaking exclusively over the phone to Daijiworld correspondent, Dinkar Alva’s son-in-law Arun Naik described him as a “Brilliant mind – very logical and analytical. He was well respected and everyone knew him in the textile industry. He was multi dimensional person and truly a towering personality. When he entered a room, he commanded respect and attention from everyone, he added completely in awe of Alva.

Speaking about Alva’s contribution to Bombay Dyeing the textile major, Arun said “It was during his tenure that Bombay Dyeing rose to its zenith and became a big brand name. As a marketing man, he initiated many novel concepts which greatly added to the bottom-line of the Company. His major contribution was the RDS concept in marketing. Moreover, exports rose during his stint as MD,” he added. Dinkar Alva’s funeral was attended by his close family, relatives and well wishers from the industry. Chairman of Banswara Fabrics, Toshniwal sent his Joint MD to lay a wreath on the body on behalf of the company.