Anil Gupta
Chairman & Managing Director
KEI Industries Ltd | Delhi, India
Janam Bhumi:
Delhi, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Delhi, India
Karma Bhumi:
Delhi, India
Wired for Global Success
The ‘Anil’ Factor: “A dream becomes real only when fuelled by purpose and relentless passion.”“A dream becomes real only when fuelled by purpose and relentless passion.”
THE MAN
There’s not a single day when Anil Gupta feels he’s not where he intended to be. The business he saw his father build from the ground up was where Anil was meant to be.
Anil’s father, Dayanand Gupta, founded KEI Industries in 1968, a cable manufacturing business. It was modest in scale with Dayanand doing everything himself. As a schoolboy, Anil would work with his father during the holidays, learning the ropes of the industry. From loading and logistics to sales and marketing, Anil had mapped out every aspect of the small factory.
The home environment was one where hard work was only second to honesty. His mother was the spiritual anchor for all the Gupta siblings that include two elder sisters, Anil, and his younger brother.
Anil was born on 24 May 1959 in Delhi and completed his education, earning his B.Com and M.Com degrees from Dr Zakir Husain College, University of Delhi. The next step was joining KEI.
THE JOURNEY
Anil was only 20 when he joined KEI full time, but his vision was far ahead of his age. He knew that if KEI needed to grow in scale, it would need to be a structured organisation with the right team. Having watched his father handle everything himself, Anil knew he could manage the business. But then, Anil wanted KEI to become a global name. He says, “When I started, I had to begin from the first step—employing separate personnel to look after different areas of the business,” he says. I knew that if I wanted to scale, I would need capable people.”
Anil’s approach to leadership is very simple: Hire people and trust them to deliver. “I began hiring people with different educational backgrounds and skills to ensure they justified their roles,” he shares.
There were challenges, people were hesitant to join a company that was only just planning stages of an expansion. But Anil found a workaround for it by developing the infrastructure and building credibility and trust, which “was more than half the battle won.”
Passion and focus were Anil’s best allies as he worked round-the-clock, securing difficult-to-get business finance, which only banks could give at that time.
Today. Under his pragmatic, people-focused, and forward-thinking stewardship, KEI Industries has grown into a ‘Superbrand’ and has been included in the Fortune 500 list as well. With a robust and study network with exports to over 65 countries, the global wires and cables powerhouse has a diversified portfolio with an annual turnover of approximately ₹9,735.88 crore (US$1.108 billion) in FY 2024-25.
And it is all because, a 16-year-old boy entered his father’s factory and decided that this is where he wanted to work. He smiles and says, “I never dreamt of working anywhere else. The only dream I had was to run my father’s business and make it as big as possible.”
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
When your moral fibre is strong, it anchors your spiritual core as firmly. For Anil, values of commitment, trust, and credibility are his foundation. “My father taught me that a commitment, even if it’s verbal, must be honoured. That’s how you build credibility and trust. Relationships in business or otherwise are everything and commitment is sacrosanct.”
This naturally flows into his philosophy of giving as well. “We started our social initiatives around the year 2000 with the government’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme,” he explains. “We partnered with ISKCON to serve government-run schools across Delhi-NCR. We built six kitchens, invested in vehicles to ensure meals were delivered fresh and on time, and funded operating costs when government grants were delayed.”
Through KEI’s Jyoti Series, children – especially girls – are offered education and health kits along with awareness sessions on hygiene. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company contributed oxygen cylinders and food to hospitals and NGOs.
These initiatives are not mere corporate gestures. Anil is very clear about that. “It should come from within—when you earn, you must share. Charity isn’t compulsory; it’s an inner calling.”
THE LEGACY
KEI not only runs in Anil’s veins, it also runs as deep in his wife, Archana’s, their son, Akshit Diviaj’s and daughter-in-law, Vedika’s.
Archana and his marriage was an arranged one, “We got married in 1984 and she has been my pillar of strength and equal partner since then. She is a Director at KEI, drives Stainless Steel wire business, leads our CSR initiatives and guides the HR & Administration teams. I strongly believe that women bring the precious assets of emotional intelligence and empathy to the table and Archana has it in abundance.”
Their son is also part of the KEI legacy, taking it forward with his wife who manages procurement while learning operations and technical processes. Anil sees a version of his eager young learner in her. The couple has two children—Nandika (five and a half) and Dhanishk (three).
As proud as Anil is of his son, he admits he did not have to go through the same hardships that Anil once did. He is very candid and says, “I was born to a well-to-do father, not a rich one; he was born to a rich father. But we have taught him that wealth isn’t the real legacy. Values are. Legacy means honesty, trust, credibility, and compassion. If those are strong, everything else will grow.”
KEI has grown into a global name because of these values, and it will continue to do so. Anil does not rest on any laurels. He has achieved remarkable things, yet it is his simplicity and humility that set him apart. They are his defining hallmark.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“When I was growing up, Bharat meant simplicity, sincerity, and a deep desire to do something meaningful. We had limited resources but unlimited passion. We didn’t think of building Bharat; we thought of building ourselves. And when individuals grow with honesty and effort, the nation naturally grows with them. Today, Bharat has become confident and global, but the soul remains the same.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“My values haven’t changed wherever I’ve gone—honesty, trust, and the belief that a commitment once given must be honoured. These aren’t just business ethics; they’re cultural values. Our Bharatiya way—grounded, respectful, relationship-driven—always finds its place in the world.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Our next generation lives in a global world, but I still see in them our Indian roots. They think differently, but the foundation of respect, integrity, and family remains. That balance between modern thinking and Indian values defines the new Bharatiya identity.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India’s recognition globally has changed remarkably. Earlier, foreign buyers hesitated to try Indian products; today, they trust our quality. That transformation fills me with pride. The spirit of Bharat lies in its resilience—our ability to find solutions and never give up.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“My message to the youth is simple: don’t shy away from hard work. In other countries, people do every kind of work with dignity; we must learn that. If our youth bring the same pride to manufacturing as they do to corporate jobs, Bharat will move faster towards becoming a truly developed nation.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
‘Golgappas’ were my all-time favourite.
NOW
I still love’ golgappas’, but now I prefer them in cleaner, safer places. With age, your immunity changes—so even street food has become more formal for me.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I grew up playing gully cricket, badminton, and table tennis with neighbourhood friends every evening.”
NOW
These days, I play a bit of badminton or table tennis at home and enjoy watching the IPL.
Music Tastes
THEN
I was raised on the melodies of Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Mukesh—their songs shaped my taste.
NOW
As a singer, I love singing classics, but I also try new songs if the lyrics have meaning. I practise three to four times a month and even have a musical get-together.
Holiday Life
THEN
Holidays meant going to my maternal grandmother or then paternal aunt’s house—simple family time and endless play.
NOW
Travelling with family to hill stations or abroad for quiet breaks and spending quality time.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Leisure was spontaneous—friends, laughter, and games in the lane.
NOW
It means music, family time, and peaceful evenings at home.
AKA
Mr. Anil Gupta (CMD, KEI) | Visionary of KEI
