Shashi Soni
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Shashi Soni | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 April 1941 Lahore, British India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of IZMO Ltd., Deep Group |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2024) |
Shashi Soni (born 4 April 1941) is an Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founder and chairperson of IZMO Ltd., a publicly listed technology company that provides automotive e-retailing and digital marketing solutions. She was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2024 for her contributions to trade and industry.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Shashi Soni was born on 4 April 1941 in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan).[1] She began her entrepreneurial career in 1971 by founding Deep Transport with a seed capital of ₹10,000.[3]
Career
[edit]In 1975, Soni established Deep Mandir, the first air-conditioned cinema in Mulund, Mumbai. In 1981, she founded Deep Oxygen Pvt. Ltd., which became the first industrial gas manufacturing unit in Mysore.[4] She was later elected as the only woman member of the Managing Committee of the All India Industrial Gas Manufacturers Association and served on the Director General of Technical Development panel of the Government of India.[5][6][7][8]
In 1996, Soni founded IZMO Ltd. (formerly Logix Microsystems Ltd.), which is listed on the NSE and BSE. The company provides digital retailing platforms for the automotive sector and operates in North America, Europe, and Asia. It has served over 1,800 clients globally.[9][10][11]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded the establishment of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., an ammunition facility in Verna, Goa. The project was completed within 18 months under the Government of India's "Make in India" initiative and became the only private-sector ammunition exporter in the country, serving 14 nations.[12][13]
Philanthropy
[edit]Soni founded Deep Janseva Samiti in 1996, a charitable trust focused on livelihood generation, women's education, slum rehabilitation, and welfare for the differently abled. She also initiated the “Smart Shiksha” program for youth education in Karnataka.[14][15]
Awards and honours
[edit]- Woman of the year award (1990) - for her contribution to the Indian industry.[16]
- Mahila Gaurav Puraskar (1990) – in recognition of her early entrepreneurial achievements.[5]
- Padma Shri (2024) – awarded by the Government of India for distinguished service in trade and industry.[1]
Legacy
[edit]Soni's business ventures have contributed significantly to India's growth in defence exports, industrial manufacturing, and technology services. She is among the few women industrialists in India to have led multiple sectors including defence, IT, and industrial gases.[17][18]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Padma Awards 2024" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2024 announced". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ a b "This Woman Started Her Business With Rs 10,000, Now Owns Rs 4000 Crore Company – She is Shashi Soni". India.com. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "This Woman Started Her Business With Rs 10,000, Now Owns Rs 4000 Crore Company". India.com. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Shashi Soni - Biography" (PDF). Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Success Story: IZMO Ltd. की चेयरपर्सन Shashi Soni – नेट वर्थ, सैलरी और टोटल एसेट्स और Padma Award". News18 (Hindi). 12 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Success Story of Shashi Soni: हाउसवाइफ से बनीं 4000 करोड़ की कंपनी की मालकिन". Navbharat Times. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Padma Shri Shashi Soni : నవతరానికి స్ఫూర్తిమంత్రం". Andhra Jyothy. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "This Lady's Entrepreneur Mind Turned ₹10K into Global Biz Empire". 31 December 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "IZMO Limited's NSE:IZMO Market Cap Up ₹10B Last Week". 11 December 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "স্যUCCESS Story: Padma‑Shri প্রাপ্ত Shashi Soni – 4,150 কোটি টাকার ব্যাবসার মালিক". ABP Live (Bengali). 10 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Padma Shri conferred on chairperson of Verna-based arms manufacturing plant". Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "IZMO Limited Success Story – Rs 10,000 to Rs 4000 Crore". Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Meet Shashi Soni, Padma Shri Awardee for Her Contribution to Trade and Industry". Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Meet Shashi Soni who built Rs 4000 crore company from scratch, won Padma Shri". Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Choudhury, Srishty. "Meet woman, who started business with Rs 10000, built company worth Rs 4000 crore, won Padma Shri, she is..." DNA India. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "The Story of Eminent Industrialist Shashi Soni". 28 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Who is Padma Shri Shashi Soni? Founder of ₹4000 Crore IZMO Ltd". 26 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.