Veena Hiranandani

Indian entrepreneur who modernized India's textile industry through sustainable practices

Veena Hiranandani (b. 1932) pioneered eco-friendly textile manufacturing in India. As CEO of Hiranandani Industries from 1965, she introduced closed-loop production systems that reduced water consumption by 70% and eliminated dye pollution. Her 1972 invention of bio-degradable fabric treatments became industry standards. Hiranandani trained over 2,000 female workers in technical roles, creating India's first women-led textile cooperatives. Her 1980 book "Threads of Change" inspired global sustainability movements. The UNDP cited her work as a model in their 2005 report on green industries. Her innovations are still used by brands like Patanjali Organics.