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20 Nov 2025
UN Mehta & Family Featured in Bhaskar's Series, ‘Lakshadhipati’ on Gujarat's Business Tycoons


Leading daily newspaper Bhaskar (Gujarati and English), published by the well-known newspaper publishing group of the same name, recently featured U.N. Mehta, founder of Torrent Pharma in a special series titled ‘Lakshadhitpati’, which profiled six of Gujarat’s most well known business tycoons and their families. 
 
The series, the newspaper says, tells the “story of the wealthy industrialists of Gujarat who shaped the future of India with their smartness and foresight”.

Palanpur Online is reproducing the article on UN Mehta and his family below for the benefit of our readers.
 

How Trinity transformed into Torrent Pharma


U.N. Mehta’s illness-ridden childhood to Gujarat Titans reflects an inspiring journey marked by hardship and resilience

Ahmedabad 
 
Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Gujarat Titans are names that resonate not only in Gujarat but across India. Behind these powerful brands lies the extraordinary story of Uttambhai Nathalal Mehta, popularly known as U.N. Mehta, whose life journey from humble beginnings and personal tragedies to building a multi-billion-rupee business empire is a remarkable tale of grit, vision, and perseverance.
 
Early life: Roots in a small village and early loss
U.N. Mehta was born on January 1, 1924, in Memadpur, a small village near Palanpur in Gujarat, into a Jain family. His grandfather Lavjibhai was a moneylender, and his father Nathalal continued the family business. Uttambhai was the youngest among five siblings.

Tragedy struck early in his life. When he was just one and a half years old, a rabid dog bit both him and his mother. Uttambhai was taken to Ahmedabad for treatment and given an injection, but his mother refused the injection and died shortly after. This loss left a deep void in his life, as he grew up without any memories of his mother.
 
Despite the hardships, Uttambhai was determined to study. He attended a primary school in Memadpur and later moved to Palanpur for further education. In those days, education beyond the fourth grade was considered a significant achievement in rural Gujarat. Uttambhai’s dedication was evident as he would wake up at 4 a.m. daily to attend school.
 
Education and early career: From science student to medical representative
Uttambhai completed his matriculation with 62% marks and enrolled in a science college in Bhavnagar. However, financial difficulties forced him to move to Mumbai, where he studied at Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya and Wilson College as a loan student. This meant the institution covered his expenses, which he would repay once he started earning.

During college, he was active in sports like tennis and badminton and even won a college election. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and attended his meeting in Mumbai’s Kranti Maidan in 1942.

After completing his education, Uttambhai took up various jobs, including working in a rationing office and later as a medical representative for pharmaceutical companies such as Sandoz. His job involved traveling extensively across Gujarat and Rajasthan, which took a toll on his health due to irregular meals and poor diet.
 
Personal life: Marriage, family, and early struggles
In 1947, Uttambhai married Shardaben in a ceremony that broke traditional customs—he refused to give dowry, a bold stance at the time. The couple initially lived in rented rooms in Ahmedabad and faced financial hardships. They had four children over the years.

Uttambhai developed a dependency on amphetamine tablets prescribed for cold symptoms in 1954. This addiction lasted for about ten years and severely affected his mental health. Despite his struggles, his family stood by him, supporting him through this difficult phase until he overcame the addiction.

The birth of Trinity Laboratories and the transition to Torrent
In 1958, after leaving his job due to workplace harassment, Uttambhai started his own pharmaceutical business named Trinity Laboratories in Mumbai. He produced medicines like Trinipyrin for fever and Trnispasmin for stomach ailments. However, the business faced losses and challenges, including being alone in a new city and financial constraints.

A trademark dispute with a Madras-based company forced him to rename Trinity to Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Though the name change was a setback, Torrent soon became a trusted name in Gujarat’s pharmaceutical market.

Growth and expansion: Building a pharmaceutical and power empire
Uttambhai’s philosophy was to view obstacles as opportunities. He personally marketed his medicines, often dressing formally and visiting doctors in villages around Mehsana and Banaskantha. His medicines gained popularity, and sales steadily increased from Rs 20,000 in 1965-66 to over Rs 11 lakh by 1974-75.

In 1989, Torrent diversified by acquiring Mahendra Electrical Limited and launched Gujarat Torrent Energy Corporation in 1992, marking its entry into the power sector. Today, Torrent Power operates in multiple states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, supplying electricity to millions. Torrent Gas also expanded rapidly, providing CNG and PNG in 34 districts across several states.
 
Battling health challenges while building a legacy
Uttambhai faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. In the mid-1970s, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, a rare form of cancer in India at the time. He underwent COP therapy and sought treatment from leading experts in the US and India.

Despite his illness, he continued to work tirelessly. In 1986, he underwent heart bypass surgery in Houston, USA. Later, he battled kidney failure and other complications but remained committed to his vision.
 
Philanthropy and social contributions
Uttambhai’s dream was to establish a heart hospital in Ahmedabad. In 1982, he founded the U.N. Mehta Charitable Trust, which started the Cardiology Department at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital. This evolved into the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre by 1992, now a premier heart care facility with 75 beds.

The hospital is renowned for providing advanced cardiac care and serves patients from across Gujarat and beyond.
 
Torrent Group today and family continuity
Torrent Pharmaceuticals is one of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with manufacturing plants in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Its research center is located near Bhat in Ahmedabad.

Torrent Power and Torrent Gas continue to expand their footprint, serving millions of customers with electricity and gas.

In 2025, Torrent Group acquired a 67% stake in the Indian Premier League team Gujarat Titans for ₹5,000 crore, marking its entry into the sports arena. Uttambhai’s children and grandchildren actively manage various aspects of the business. His eldest daughter Meenaben, second daughter Nayanaben, and sons Sudhirbhai, Samirbhai, and their families carry forward his legacy.

Sudhirbhai Mehta is the Chairman of Torrent Group, with his sons Jinal and Varun holding key leadership roles. Samirbhai Mehta serves as the Executive Chairman, with his sons Aman and Shaan also involved in the business.
 
Conclusion: A legacy of resilience and vision
U.N. Mehta’s life story is a powerful example of overcoming adversity through determination, innovation, and hard work. From losing his mother at a young age and battling addiction and serious illnesses to building a business empire that touches millions of lives, his journey inspires generations. His legacy lives on not only through the thriving Torrent Group but also through the U.N. Mehta Hospital, which continues to provide world-class cardiac care. The story of how Trinity became Torrent is a testament to the spirit of entrepreneurship and the power of perseverance.
 
 
Reference Book: Peak of Prosperity Amidst Storms of Calamities: Biography of U.N. Mehta
 
Click here to view the original article on Bhaskar website
 
Pic courtesy: UNM Foundation

 

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