It began, as most great stories do, with a spark and a little bit of mischief.

Mrs. Sarla Ahuja (Didi Ji) often recalls how her younger child was so spirited and full of energy that she decided to start working from home to balance her responsibilities as a mother and a professional. In the 1970s, women’s participation in the economy was largely confined to agriculture and the informal sector. During this time, Mrs. Sarla stepped into the unfamiliar world of exports. It was a time of protectionist policies, and the idea of “working from home” was hardly imagined. She made a choice that was born out of care and necessity. It soon became the first stitch in the fabric of what would grow into one of India’s largest apparel manufacturers, Shahi.

A New Kind of Beginning

The India of 1974 was a time of transition, when women’s voices in business were still rare and often overlooked. Opportunities were limited, but so was the fear of trying.

Sarla Ji’s curiosity, determination, and willingness to think differently laid the foundation for something much larger than herself. It began as a personal venture and soon evolved into a platform for thousands of women to earn a livelihood, gain confidence, and redefine what leadership looks like in the textile industry.

Capturing Five Decades of Purpose

Fifty years later, that spark remains a defining part of us.

To commemorate this extraordinary journey, we are proud to launch ‘The Spark: 50 Years of Shahi’. The book is a visual and emotional chronicle that captures the essence of who we are and how we came to be.

The Spark retraces the beginnings of a small homegrown enterprise and follows its evolution into India’s largest apparel manufacturer. Inside, you get a peek into rare photographs, personal reflections, and memories from the people who built Shahi. It tells the story of a company that has always been shaped by its people. Their skills and ideas drove its success. Their persistence and dedication kept it growing. 

The Story of a Generation, and Many More

The pages echo the voices of those who have been part of Shahi for decades. They hold the spirit of people who joined as young trainees and today lead teams of hundreds. Their stories of grit, innovation, and belonging remind us that progress never happens overnight. People build it slowly, stitching it together, one thread, one milestone, one person at a time.

This is more than a record of our history. It is a shared reflection, a chance for each of us, across eight states, to see ourselves in a story larger than our own.

A Book That Belongs to Everyone

The book is, at its heart, a collective memory and a bridge across time, departments, and generations.

Whether you have been part of Shahi for years or just joined, you’ll find the pages peppered with something familiar. They tell a story of perseverance, people, and purpose.

Today, we launch the book as both a tribute and an invitation. It asks us to remember where we began and to carry forward the same spirit and intent that started it all.