Arun Firodia (born 1943) the founder of Kinetic Group of companies, completed his B Tech in Electrical engineering from IIT Mumbai and is widely acknowledged as a visionary technocrat. Later he completed his MS in Electrical Engineering from MIT(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and then obtained his MS degree in Management from ‘Sloan School of Management’. This electrical engineer belongs to a traditional family whose father is Shri H.K.Firodia(late), the Doyen of Indian Automobile Industry, who developed vehicles for common people at affordable prices.

             After starting Kinetic Engineering Ltd he launched India’s first totally indigenous moped – “LUNA”, which turned out to be a great success. Later in a Joint Venture with Honda Motor Company of Japan Arun Firodia introduced the world’s most advanced Scooter in India. He created a history in the Indian corporate world by purchasing the entire stake of Honda Motor Company to take over management control of the company, and renamed it as “Kinetic Motor Company Ltd. (KMCL)”.

                               In addition to being  the founder of Kinetic Group of companies, Arun Firodia is the Founder President of ‘Pune Citizens’ Police Foundation (PCPF), member of Advisory Board of All India Sainik Welfare Association, member of the Executive Committee of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Executive Committee Member of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) etc,. Apart from these he instituted the “HK Firodia Awards for excellence in Science and Technology“to recognize achievements of Indian scientists. His contributions played a vital role in giving a shape to International Airport at Chakan near Pune, mega International Convention Center at Pune and International exhibition center at Mulshi near Pune.

Some of the Awards he recieved:

1) ”Pimpri Chinchwad Bhushan” award by Annasaheb Maghar Social Service Foundation for his contribution towards industrial, social, education and labor welfare.

2)’Nagar Road Industries Association - Life Time Achievement Award” for year 2002 - 2003 for his outstanding contributions to the automobile industry.

3)Helen Keller Award (2004) for contributing to the rehabilitation of Leprosy affected people who had become social out casts.

4)FICCI Annual Award (2003) for outstanding achievement in Employment of Physically Challanged people.
5)TERI – Corporate Social Responsibility Award (2004-05) and Auto Cluster Appreciation Award (2006) in appreciation of initiative and efforts for the successful operation of ACDRIL.

Some other shades of Arun Firodia:

He has researched, prepared and delivered presentations about several methods to improve city traffic which will reduce emission.He also encourages young students in performing arts and has been organizing the “Firodia Trophy” competition in dramatics for the last 25 years.

Popularity: 14%