Ashok L Odhrani
Founder & Chairman, Supertech Group, Dubai, UAE
Managing Trustee, Monilek Hospital & Research Centre | Rajasthan, India
Janam Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Karma Bhumi:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Anchored in Honesty, Calibrated by Humility
The ‘Ashok’ Factor: “Success means nothing if it does not serve others; every business must be entrenched in humanity.”
THE MAN
Born in 1948 in Jaipur’s colourful byways, Ashok L Odhrani grew up watching his father, Lekhraj Odhrani, who was his mentor. “My father used to say, money comes and goes, but respect should never leave you,” he recalls.
His childhood was defined by simplicity and curiosity. It was a time of quiet learning and a spirit shaped by his everyday experiences. He studied at Mahavir Digambar Jain High School, yet much of his learning came from outside the classrooms. Later, he attended Maharaja’s College of Science to pursue Engineering – a path that seemed clearly set ahead of him. But life had other plans. In 1967, he left for Dubai, a step into the unknown that reshaped the course of his life.
THE JOURNEY
He left with nothing but a suitcase full of courage and hope that he could support the family. There, he joined an automotive parts company that was demanding and unfamiliar, but to him, it offered exposure to practical business operations. Every experience at the company added a layer of understanding and encouraged him to start his own business.
After six years of landing in Dubai, Ashok founded the Supertech Group. In the initial phase, the progress was gradual but over the years; it evolved into a diversified industrial enterprise serving oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, marine, and manufacturing sectors across the Middle East and India. Today, it is a trusted provider of value-added engineering and industrial solutions. Throughout this growth, clarity in commitments and ethical conduct remained central to its functioning.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Ashok believes that service should be silent and should not need any recognition. “Charity is between you and your conscience,” he says. Having successfully developed a business, my father inspired me to pay back to society through health services. Seeing families struggle for healthcare back in India became his motivation for establishing our family trust ‘Smt Mohinidevi Lekhraj Ashok Charitable Trust’ and becoming Managing Trustee of Monilek Hospital & Research Centre in Jaipur, which he runs alongside his brothers. The Multi Specialty Tertiary Hospital, known for its kidney transplant programme, provides world-class treatment to those who cannot afford it. His involvement also extends to sanitation, environmental sustainability, and community facilities. This includes contributions to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, long-term afforestation efforts in Rajasthan, and support for the Hindu Cremation Ground in Jebel Ali, Dubai. He helped establish a gas-based, pollution-free crematorium in Jaipur. Through partnerships with organisations such as the Diya India Foundation, he assists programmes focused on child welfare.
THE LEGACY
Ashok does not see legacy as something to be defined or celebrated. For him, it is reflected in the way responsibilities are passed down to the next generation. Despite decades of experience, he remains rooted in the values and lessons of humility, effort, and empathy that his early years offered.
Responsibility within the family has always been shared. Over the years, he worked alongside his brothers, and as the business grew, he gradually stepped back, allowing his children to understand the work and take charge in their own time. Today, his sons – Deepak and Jitendra continue to manage the business. Ashok’s wife, Sunita, has been a constant source of support throughout the years.
Now, his role is limited and advisory. He offers guidance both within the organisation and to young entrepreneurs with his focus on continuity, responsibility and conduct rather than growth and recognition.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“When I was a child, we used to go to the RSS ‘shakhas.’ That’s where I first learned what it means to love one’s country. Those mornings, the prayers, the discipline — they shaped my Bharat. Even today, when I go to the Govind Dev Ji temple at dawn, I feel the same spirit of gratitude and belonging.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“I left Jaipur with honesty and humility in my heart — those were my parents’ greatest gifts. Wherever I went, those Bharatiya values went with me — they became my compass in Dubai and my strength in life.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“My children and grandchildren may live in Dubai, but their hearts beat for Bharat. They study abroad, they travel, they learn — but they come back carrying the same respect, the same humility. That is our true strength: to be global in outlook yet Indian by heart.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“I feel proud every time I see India rise — our talent, our skill, our compassion, our courage. I’ve travelled the world, worked with Americans, Europeans, and Arabs, but no one can match the heart of an Indian. We are the oldest civilisation, yet the youngest in energy. We have survived every invasion and every storm because our faith, our culture, our Bharat, are unbreakable.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I believe India is already a superpower in its own perspective, and it will only grow stronger. “Our young must remember not to chase shortcuts. Build slowly, build honestly, and build with heart. Freedom is important, but so is culture. I tell the youth,’ recognise yourself, know why you are here, and never forget that your roots are Indian. Be proud of that — it is your greatest wealth.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
As a boy, I loved ‘Sambhar ki Finia’ — sweet and plain both.
NOW
Today, doctors have told me to reduce sugar consumption, so I prefer simple vegetarian home-cooked food.
Sport Spirit
THEN
We played ‘gilli danda’, ‘kho-kho’, ‘satolia’ — games that cost nothing but gave pure joy.
NOW
I play golf — it teaches discipline, focus, and calmness. It’s my meditation.
Music Tastes
THEN
I grew up on old Hindi nostalgic melodies — KL Saigal, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar.
NOW
I still listen to them and go back to memory lane. I also love the calming effect of ‘ghazals’ and light classical music.
Holiday Life
THEN
Travelling to Ajmer to see my maternal grandmother, cycling to Pushkar, meeting friends.
NOW
I travel within India whenever I can because I want to explore my country more.
Leisure Habits
THEN
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an engineer and building something of my own.
NOW
Today, I watch my sons and grandchildren build on that dream. I love reading religious texts, history, and geography.
AKA
Founder and chairman of Supertech Group | Chairman Supertech Group Dubai | Managing Trustee Monilek Hospital & Research Centre | Healthcare and Infrastructure Leader
