Things happen by chance—and sometimes, those chances uncover memorable stories.
It began with the 50th reunion of the BITS Pilani 1975 batch. A gathering meant to reconnect with old friends turned into something much more: a rediscovery of passion, purpose, and an extraordinary individual I hadn’t spoken to in over 45 years.
My classmate, Atul Dalmia, CEO of
Rubamin Pvt. Limited, has built an industry from the ground up—literally creating a new ecosystem in recycling. But what sets him apart isn’t just the innovation or its scale. It’s the soul he brings into every facet of his work. His employees work with pride, not obligation. His plants and offices don’t just operate—they inspire.
But here’s where the story becomes remarkable.
Atul is not only an industrialist—he is a patron of the arts in the truest Renaissance sense. Much like the Medici family of 13th–15th century Italy, who were stewards of both commerce and culture, Atul blends industrial success with a deep, unrelenting support for the arts. His corporate office, his manufacturing site, his home—all carry an atrium for performances as he believes art and purpose belong together.
He’s even working on a $50 million structure dedicated to fostering music and the arts. Art lives in his office spaces, breathes through his architecture, and flows through the community he’s building—except, perhaps, in his SUV.
I met him just as I concluded my trip in India in early March. It was like stepping into a chapter of The Medici Effect—a book that speaks of innovation born at the intersection of ideas, disciplines, and cultures. Atul embodies that intersection. A creator, a builder, a patron, and above all, a steward of something larger than himself. Just one statistic stands on its own, he has a collection over 3000 pieces of art work, some commissioned, and some aquired.
Sometimes, a reunion is just nostalgia. Sometimes, it’s the start of a story still unfolding. His Museum will come up in next five years as it is multi storied structure and only saw a foundation being laid. Shall bring updates on each anniversary.
Pictured with him, at his complex where I planted a tree as part of his green initiative as have many others.