Who is Sanjay Ghodawat?
Sanjay D. Ghodawat is an Indian entrepreneur, philanthropist, educationist, and industrialist. He is best known as the Founder and Chairman of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), a fast-growing conglomerate with interests in FMCG, aviation, renewable energy, textiles, mining, education, and real estate.
Over the past three decades, he has transformed SGG into a household name, employing over 10,000 people and making significant contributions to India’s industrial, social, and educational landscape. Apart from his business endeavors, he is a licensed pilot and a visionary philanthropist, often referred to as “The Man Who Believes in the Currency of Kindness.”
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Sanjay D. Ghodawat |
| Date of Birth | 28 February 1965 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 58 Years |
| Birthplace | Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Industrialist, Philanthropist, Educationist |
| Famous For | Founder & Chairman of Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) |
| Father’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Mother’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Neeta Sanjay Ghodawat |
| Children | Shrenik Ghodawat (Businessman), Shreya Ghodawat (Sustainability Advocate) |
| Education | Diploma in Mechanical Engineering; Licensed Pilot |
| Net Worth | ₹5,000+ Crore (approx.) |
| Residence | Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India |
| Hobbies | Aviation, Social Work, Education Development |
Sanjay Ghodawat Early Life
Sanjay D. Ghodawat was born on 28 February 1965 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, into a simple yet value-driven Jain family. Growing up in a modest household, he was taught the importance of hard work, humility, and ethics from a young age. Unlike many children, Sanjay showed a strong inclination towards business and mechanical systems, often curious about how things worked.
His early environment, surrounded by traditional values and a progressive mindset, laid the foundation for his future as a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Sanjay Ghodawat Education
- Sanjay pursued a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, which equipped him with technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
- His passion for aviation led him to train as a certified pilot, earning licenses for airplanes, helicopters, and gliders.
- Apart from formal education, Sanjay believes in continuous learning. His business acumen, people skills, and leadership style are products of self-learning, experience, and mentorship rather than just academic qualifications.
Sanjay Ghodawat Family
Sanjay Ghodawat belongs to a respected Jain family in Maharashtra. He is known for balancing his professional success with his strong family values.
- Wife: Neeta Sanjay Ghodawat – actively supports philanthropic and family initiatives.
- Children:
- Shrenik Ghodawat – associated with the family business and management of the group.
- Shreya Ghodawat – a sustainability advocate, environmentalist, and global youth leader for eco-friendly initiatives.
The Ghodawat family is admired for its commitment to social causes and for maintaining a down-to-earth lifestyle despite massive business success.
Sanjay Ghodawat Career
Founding of Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG)
In 1993, Sanjay established the Sanjay Ghodawat Group. Starting from a small trading business, he gradually diversified into multiple industries. Today, SGG is a multi-billion-rupee conglomerate.
Key Sectors of SGG
- FMCG (Ghodawat Consumer Limited)
- Products: Edible oils, pulses, beverages, snacks, packaged foods.
- Revenue: Crossed ₹1,600 crore in FY23.
- Aviation (Star Air)
- A regional airline launched under the Government of India’s UDAN scheme.
- Connects underserved cities with affordable air travel.
- Education (Sanjay Ghodawat University – SGU)
- Founded in 2009, SGU is now a leading private university in Maharashtra.
- Recognized as one of Asia’s fastest emerging universities.
- Renewable Energy
- Investments in solar and wind power projects, with over 150 MW installed capacity.
- Other Businesses
- Real estate, textiles, mining, floriculture, software, retail, and infrastructure.
- Real estate, textiles, mining, floriculture, software, retail, and infrastructure.
Awards & Recognition
Sanjay has been honored nationally and internationally for his contributions:
- Leader of Hope Award (2020) – For philanthropic contributions during COVID-19.
- Scroll of Honour Award (2023) – Maharashtra Conclave.
- Singhania Lifetime Achievement Award (2023).
- Featured among Times’ Most Powerful Leaders (2022).
- Economic Times Inspiring Business Leader awardee.
- Multiple recognitions for education and philanthropy from national organizations.
Philanthropy & Social Work
Sanjay strongly believes in “Business with a Purpose.” Through the Sanjay Ghodawat Foundation, he has:
- Built schools, colleges, and hostels for underprivileged students.
- Launched initiatives for blind schools, girls’ education, and rural development.
- Conducted blood donation drives, medical camps, and tree plantation programs.
- Supported disaster relief efforts during floods, droughts, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Provided financial aid to soldiers’ families and assistance during crises like Pulwama.
His foundation’s efforts have positively impacted thousands of families across Maharashtra and India.
Sanjay Ghodawat Net Worth
| Attribute | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹5,000+ Crore (approx.) |
| Primary Income Sources | FMCG (Ghodawat Consumer), Aviation (Star Air), Renewable Energy, Education, Real Estate |
| Major Business Group | Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) |
| Notable Assets | Industries, University, Aviation Fleet, Real Estate |
Sanjay Ghodawat Social Media
| Platform | Handle/Link | Followers (approx.) |
| Sanjay Ghodawat Group | 11K+ | |
| Not publicly active | — | |
| Twitter (X) | Limited presence | — |
| YouTube | Sanjay Ghodawat University | 3.4K+ (Institutional channel) |
(Note: Sanjay himself maintains a low-key social media presence, but his group and university accounts are active.)
Sanjay Ghodawat Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5’9” (175 cm) |
| Weight | ~75 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Build | Average, Fit |
| Age | 58 years (as of 2023) |
| Personality | Charismatic, Visionary Leader |
Interesting Facts about Sanjay Ghodawat
- Certified Pilot – He holds licenses to fly airplanes, helicopters, and gliders, a rare achievement for an industrialist.
- Multi-Sector Entrepreneur – From FMCG to aviation and renewable energy, he has built businesses across more than 10 industries.
- Educationist at Heart – Founded Sanjay Ghodawat University (SGU), which has become one of Maharashtra’s top private universities.
- Philanthropist – Runs several charity programs, supporting education, rural development, and disaster relief efforts.
- Started Small – Began his entrepreneurial journey in the early 1990s with a trading business, later growing it into a billion-dollar group.
- Family-Oriented – Despite massive success, he and his family live with simplicity and strong traditional values.
- Supports Nation Building – Through Star Air, he actively participates in the Government’s UDAN scheme, connecting smaller towns with affordable air travel.
- Awards & Recognition – Recipient of prestigious awards like the Singhania Lifetime Achievement Award, Scroll of Honour (Maharashtra Conclave), and Times Most Powerful Leaders Award.
FAQs about Sanjay Ghodawat
Q1: Who is Sanjay Ghodawat?
Sanjay Ghodawat is an Indian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and educationist, and Chairman of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, a diversified business conglomerate.
Q2: What is the net worth of Sanjay Ghodawat?
His estimated net worth is over ₹5,000 crore (approx.).
Q3: What businesses does he own?
He owns businesses in FMCG (Ghodawat Consumer), Aviation (Star Air), Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Education, Textiles, and Mining.
Q4: When was Sanjay Ghodawat born?
He was born on 28 February 1965 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
Q5: Who are the family members of Sanjay Ghodawat?
His wife is Neeta Sanjay Ghodawat, and his children are Shrenik Ghodawat (business leader) and Shreya Ghodawat (sustainability advocate).
Q6: What is Sanjay Ghodawat University?
It is a private university in Maharashtra founded by him in 2009, offering programs in engineering, business, and multiple disciplines.
Q7: What awards has he won?
He has received several awards, including the Leader of Hope Award, the Singhania Lifetime Achievement Award, and Times Most Powerful Leaders recognition.
Q8: Is Sanjay active on social media?
He maintains a low-key presence, but his business and university accounts are active on LinkedIn, YouTube, and other platforms.
Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals, etc. at Leader Biography.
