Mr. Susim Mukul Datta, former Chairman of Hindustan Lever Ltd. (now Hindustan Unilever Ltd.), passed away recently in Mumbai at the age of 89. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in South Asia’s corporate history, Mr. Datta is remembered in Nepal for his instrumental role in establishing Unilever Nepal Limited - a milestone that transformed the country’s FMCG landscape.

Mr. S.M.Datta’s career at Hindustan Lever Ltd. spanned over four decades. As the Chairman, he led the company through a period of significant growth and strategic expansion. Among his many achievements, his vision to expand into Nepal stands out as a defining moment in regional industrial development.

In 1992, Mr. Datta personally oversaw the formation of Unilever Nepal Limited. He laid the foundation of our factory in Hetauda and engaged with various stakeholders in Nepal. Today, our Hetauda facility provides superior products to millions of Nepali consumers and contributes significantly to the national economy. Even after his retirement in 1996, Mr. Datta remained a passionate advocate for sustainability, corporate responsibility and ethical leadership — values that continue to guide Unilever’s operations in Nepal and beyond.

“Mr. Datta had a dream—to make Nepal Lever the number one FMCG company in the country” -recalled Mr. Sobhan Roy, a Unilever Veteran. “He was soft-spoken, humble, and down-to-earth, yet incredibly focused and a visionary. A perfect gentleman and a true leader.”

As Unilever mourns the loss of a corporate titan, Mr. Datta’s legacy lives on in the institutions he built and the lives he touched. His vision for Unilever Nepal not only created jobs and economic opportunity but also set a benchmark for industrial excellence in the region.