Sahara India Pariwar, founded by Subrata Roy in 1978 in Gorakhpur, India, has grown into a prominent conglomerate with diverse business interests spanning finance, real estate, media, entertainment, healthcare, and more. Starting with a modest capital of Rs.2,000/- the group has expanded its presence across India and internationally.
Financial Services
In the financial sector, Sahara India Life Insurance Company Ltd. was established in 2004 as the first wholly Indian-owned company to enter the life insurance market without foreign collaboration. The company launched with an initial paid-up capital of Rs.157 crores. Additionally, Sahara Asset Management Company Pvt. Ltd. manages a variety of equity and debt mutual funds-CMSD (Capital Market Service Division). Real Estate and Infrastructure
atOptions = { 'key' : 'fd6baaafb1965b2516534179cf483c56', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Sahara's real estate ventures include the development of residential and commercial properties across India. Notable projects are the Sahara City Homes townships planned in 217 cities and the Aamby Valley City near Mumbai. In 2008, Sahara entered the southern Indian real estate market with the launch of Sahara Grace in Kochi, offering a mix of apartments and penthouses with various amenities. Media and Entertainment
The group has made significant strides in media and entertainment, owning national Hindi news channel Jain TV and the Headend-in-the-Sky platform Jainhits. Hospitality
In the hospitality sector, Sahara owned a controlling stake in New York's Plaza Hotel and Dream Downtown Hotel, which it sold to Katara Hospitality in July 2018. In India, the group owns the Sahara Star hotel near Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Sports Ventures
Sahara has been a major promoter of sports in India, owning teams such as the Awadhe Warriors in the Indian Badminton League and the Pune Warriors India in the Indian Premier League. The company also launched the Sahara Warriors Polo Team in 2012 and sponsored the Bangladesh Cricket Team from 2012 to 2015. Retail Initiatives
In 2012, Sahara entered the retail sector with the launch of 'Q Shop,' aiming to provide adulteration-free consumer merchandise, including processed food and beverages. The initiative involved setting up 305 warehouses in 285 cities and hiring a substantial workforce. On 1 April 2013, Sahara Q Shop entered the Guinness World Records by opening 315 outlets simultaneously in 10 states.
Healthcare
Sahara's healthcare initiatives include the Sahara Hospital in Lucknow, which became operational in February 2009. The hospital started with approximately 350 beds, including a 120-bed critical care infrastructure, expandable to 554 beds.
Electric Vehicles
In June 2019, Sahara announced its entry into the electric vehicle market under the brand name Sahara Evols, offering products such as motorbikes, scooters, e-rickshaws, and three-wheeler cargo vehicles, along with charging stations and EV batteries.Corporate Social Responsibility
Sahara Welfare Foundation (SWF), the social development arm of Sahara India Pariwar, has undertaken various initiatives since 1997 aimed at uplifting socially and economically marginalized communities. Notable projects include adopting villages affected by natural disasters, supporting families of martyrs, establishing rehabilitation centres for differently-abled individuals, and contributing to relief efforts during calamities like the Uttarakhand floods.
Guinness World Records
Sahara holds records for the most people singing a national anthem simultaneously, with 121,653 employees singing India's national anthem on 6 May 2013 in Lucknow, and for opening 315 outlets of Sahara Q Shop simultaneously in 10 states on 1 April 2013.Over the decades, Sahara India Pariwar has evolved into a multifaceted conglomerate with a significant presence in various sectors, reflecting its commitment to growth, diversification, and social responsibility.