From the beginning, that is, since the time he joined the medical industry, Manohar Lal felt an unease. The sector posed a challenge, which he later realized was an opportunity in disguise. For years, he says, they (he and his like-minded colleagues) watched a large Share of medical products being imported from China, even though our own industry in India had immense potential for innovation, growth, and creating world-class products.
After spending more than two decades in the pharma and medical field, Manohar felt a responsibility to change that narrative. “I wanted to build a company that could proudly compete on the international stage through exceptional quality, strong packaging, and fast, reliable delivery.”
But more than the business vision, what inspired him most was the people. India is home to a vast pool of talented, hardworking individuals who only need the right training and the right opportunity to grow, he says. Creating jobs, nurturing talent, and helping individuals build meaningful careers became just as important as building the company itself. To Manohar, true leadership in his field doesn’t come from titles — it comes from empowering the next generation with skills, knowledge, and employment. “When we uplift people, we uplift the entire industry,” he believes.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Being the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manarti Exports, Manohar’s leadership has always been tested by one challenge after another. The medical industry, since 2018, has been moving at a steady pace. But by the end of 2019, with the arrival of COVID-19, Manohar adds that they faced unprecedented challenges—scarcity of medical products and immense pressure on healthcare infrastructure.
During this dark time, the industry worked tirelessly, round the clock, day and night, to rise to the challenge. While thousands of lives were lost and the virus spread rapidly, medical professionals in hospitals, supply chain workers, and employees gave more than 100%—pouring their hearts and souls into saving lives and ensuring essential supplies reached healthcare centres. “We stayed open every single day, doing everything possible to meet the urgent demand.”
“Those three years were the most challenging we have ever faced, yet they gave us a new perspective: how to grow, adapt, and always be ready for any challenge.” On the positive note, Manohar adds that since then, India has witnessed rapid growth in infrastructure, new manufacturing units, and faster response systems. “But more importantly, those years taught us the power of dedication, courage, and teamwork—the true spirit that drives the medical industry forward.”
Manohar looks differently at challenges and believes that they always bring opportunities. Over the past few years, they, at Manarti Exports, have learned a great deal from the obstacles they faced, and the opportunities that arose from them have kept them motivated to do even more. Working in international markets, they continuously learn about new technologies, evolving product requirements, and global best practices. “This constant learning and adaptation inspire us to innovate, improve, and stay ahead, no matter how difficult the times.”
Moreover, Manohar believes that risk is an inherent part of any business. “When we venture into something new, it becomes crucial to plan carefully and analyze the risks involved.” At the same time, it is essential to have patience and understand that it may take time before the efforts and risks invested in a new product or approach start giving results.
Taking Innovation Beyond Business Success
Beyond business success, to Manohar, innovation is not just about inventing something entirely new. It’s also about sharpening what we already have—improving existing products or processes to make them more effective, useful, and meaningful for the end user. At the same time, innovation includes making a product appealing and user-friendly, because how something looks and feels can be just as important as how it works. In essence, innovation is about creating value and enhancing experiences, not just achieving business success.
Also, having worked in the Medical and Pharma industry for over 25 years, Manohar has learned that trust, patience, and consistency are the real pillars of leadership. “Over these two decades, the relationships I built—with customers, vendors, and partners—showed me that leadership is not about authority, but about reliability and standing true to your word.”
This trust extended not only to customers but also to more than 150 vendors across India, with whom Manarti Exports celebrates every success as one team. Manohar adds, “Their faith in me has been one of the greatest strengths of my entire journey.”
With this support and shared belief, they grew from a small team of just four people to a strong and dedicated team of fourty today. “Every step of this growth has reinforced my belief that true leadership is built on trust, meaningful relationships, and the courage to stand by your commitments—even when the path isn’t easy.”
