SURAT - A passion for business leadership and community service has propelled Dinesh Kataria into the spotlight as a key figure in the Surat textile industry. Having played a significant role in streamlining the election process for the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA), Kataria is now rumored to be in contention for the position of FOSTA General Secretary.
Originally from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Kataria moved to Surat in 1994 to join his brother and uncle's clothing business at Goodluck Market. He later launched his own clothing trading venture in the market in 2017. Kataria’s successful stewardship of Goodluck Market since 2016-17 has seen him revitalize the market and improve its infrastructure, most notably by initiating a water harvesting process that dramatically increased groundwater levels.
Kataria's leadership style is not limited to business alone; he has also demonstrated a deep commitment to social causes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated with Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Chauhan to distribute one lakh food packets to those in need. He also ensured that families of workers, security guards, and tempo drivers in the textile market had sufficient supplies throughout the crisis.
Speaking to a Loktej correspondent, Kataria outlined his vision for FOSTTA, stating that his primary focus would be to draft a constitution and implement the Arbitration Act, granting FOSTTA authority to address issues of worker migration. He also plans to tackle the persistent problems of transport and goods return during the trading season. Recognizing the challenges traders face in reporting economic crimes, Kataria promised that FOSTTA would act as a bridge between the police and cloth merchants, thereby facilitating smoother communication.
When asked about Goodluck Market's conditions, Kataria confidently stated that the market was running efficiently, with a three-story parking facility and solar power supply, ensuring that the traders had no grievances. These tangible improvements under Kataria's leadership substantiate the growing consensus that he could bring significant positive change as FOSTTA's General Secretary.
