Arvind Narottam Lalbhai, chairman of The Arvind Mills Ltd, flagship of the Lalbhai group and one of the country?s largest and most modern textile companies, passed away here on Friday. He was 89.

A doyen of the Indian textile industry, Arvindbhai was among the most dynamic entrepreneurs and far-sighted businessmen of his times. He carved a name for himself as one of the most spirited crusaders for the textile industry, serving it in many capacities: chairman of the Textile Committee in 1980; chairman of the India Cotton Mills? Federation in 1982; thrice president of the Ahmedabad Textile Mills? Association and chairman of its governing council.

Arvindbhai also served as president of the country?s apex business body, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, in 1981-82. He took a keen interest in developmental problems and was a strong advocate of competition, modernisation and induction of technology for the rapid growth of the Indian economy.

The indefatigable Arvindbhai, who obtained his BSc degree from Bombay University and joined Ashoka Mills, of which he remained chairman for more than 30 years, was on the board of directors of several textile mills and other companies engaged in chemicals, dyes, engineering, glass, paper and rubber.

He was also on the board of directors of State Bank of India, on the governing council of the Ahmedabad Education Society and Gujarat Law Society, as well as on the board of governors of the country?s premier B-school?the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad.

A well-known philanthropist and social worker, too, Arvindbhai established the Blindmen?s Association in Ahmedabad and was also president of the National Association for the Blind in India, as well as the Gujarat Sankat Nivaran Society, known for its relief work during famines and droughts in the state and elsewhere in the country.

He also took a keen interest in rural development and had adopted Laxmipura village and adjoining areas in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. A lifelong bachelor, Arvindbhai is survived by his adopted son, Samveg.