The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) convened its 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 29, 2023, using video conferencing as the mode of communication.

Following the 65th AGM, the newly reconstituted committee of CITI elected Rakesh Mehra as the Chairman of CITI, Ashwin Chandran as the Deputy Chairman of CITI, and Dinesh Nolkha as the Vice Chairman for a two-year term spanning 2023-2025.

Upon assuming the role of Chairman, Rakesh Mehra expressed his commitment to fostering collaborative and inclusive initiatives aimed at nurturing the growth of the entire textile sector.

Brief profiles of the Office-bearers of CITI are provided below for reference:

Rakesh Mehra, Chairman, CITI

Rakesh Mehra, a Chartered Accountant, serves as the Chairman of Banswara Syntex Limited (BSL), an integrated textile manufacturer and exporter of yarns, fabrics, and garments, boasting an impressive turnover of ₹1,400 crores. Mehra completed his schooling in Amritsar and Ajmer and pursued his BCom degree in Chandigarh. He successfully completed his 3-year Articleship with AF Ferguson & Co, Chartered Accountants in Mumbai.

Mehra joined BSL in 1986 and was instrumental in pioneering the export of Man-Made Textiles from India. His achievements include the initiation of fabric export business to the UK and yarn export business to Turkey. Mr. Mehra has been actively associated with various industry associations and has held leadership positions such as Chairman of The Synthetic & Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) for two terms, President of the Indian Spinners’ Association (ISA), and Deputy Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI).

Ashwin Chandran, Deputy Chairman, CITI

Ashwin Chandran, Chairman and Managing Director of M/s. Precot Limited in Coimbatore, has been elected as the Deputy Chairman of CITI. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Textile Technology from UMIST, UK, and a Post-Graduate (MBA) degree from the University of Illinois, USA. Ashwin Chandran has been actively involved in various industry bodies and organizations, having served as Director in PC Racing Foundation, The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, and Textile Sector Skill Council. He has also chaired positions such as Chairman of SIMA, Member of CITI Sub-Committee on Manmade Fiber and Yarn, and Technical Textiles, Chairman of Yarn Committee of TEXPROCIL, and Vice-Chairman of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), New Delhi.

Dinesh Nolkha, Vice Chairman, CITI

Dinesh Nolkha currently holds the position of Managing Director & CEO at Nitin Spinners Ltd., Bhilwara. He is a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and The Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India. Nolkha achieved academic excellence, securing the 4th rank on an All India Basis in ICMA Final Exams in 1991 and the 43rd Rank in ICAI Final exams in 1992.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dinesh Nolkha is an active member of various industrial associations and has served as President of Mewar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, and Chairman of NITRA, Ghaziabad. Currently, he holds the position of Vice President of the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jaipur, Rajasthan. His accomplishments also include being conferred with the CA Business Leader Award by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.