GOKULAM GOPALAN: THE SOCIALLY COMMITTED BUSINESSMAN

Being a socially committed person is extra-ordinary – especially if you are into business. Not all people have the true courage to dedicate their life for their society. Specifically speaking, the present generation has come down to the level of selfishness. Needless to say, given the aforesaid facts, if there is someone who does not qualify the said assumptions, he deserves to be treated as a noble soul. Fortunately, a search for one such divine soul has culminated with a positive note. In this edition, a business legend, who has shown the world the importance of leading a socially committed life, is covered. That exceptional human is none other than A M Gopalan (popularly known as Gokulam Gopalan), the owner of Gokulam Group of Companies.

There is a saying that ‘there is a small footprint behind every big’. Like what the saying implies, the beginning of this business leader’s career was also humble. Born in a small village near Vadakara in Kerala, Mr. Gopalan was a very sincere student. He secured his graduation in Mathematics from the Kerala University. His interest for acting attracted him to the dream city of Chennai. His initial days in Chennai was extremely challenging. An accidental meeting with a doctor worked as a game changer. That opened a door of opportunities before him. He, with the help of the doctor – who found his educational accomplishments impressive, secured a challenging job opportunity as medical representative.

It is important for a businessman to identify his first spark. It is from that striking realisation he discovers his true potential as a businessman. To Mr. Gopalan, that spark happened when he joined his first job. His job required him to wear a kind of professional attire. At that point of time, because of his not-so-good financial position, he was not able to afford that. He is not a man who simply stares at hurdles helplessly. He found the solution to his problem in a brilliant financial plan. He started a mini chit fund involving not more than ten people with a monthly instalment of Rs. 60 each. Notably, it not only served his purpose but also formed a firm base for his chit business.