Few business journeys in India’s construction and real estate landscape reflect resilience, ethical strength, professional excellence, and inner clarity as profoundly as that of Vinod Trivedi, Founder of the Progressive Group. A civil engineer by education and a visionary by temperament, Trivedi’s life is an inspiring confluence of large-scale infrastructure execution, principled real estate leadership, spirituality, social responsibility, and artistic excellence. He began his entrepreneurial journey in 1976, after taking what remains one of the most courageous decisions of his life—leaving a highly secure, prestigious, and respected position at Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Powai. At L&T, Trivedi worked in responsible position in Various Mega Petro Chemical Projects across India such as at Mumbai, Goa, Tuticorin(TN), Haldia(WB). Working at L&T Powai itself was an achievement, but quitting such an organisation was emotionally and professionally difficult, yet necessary for someone seeking independence, stability in family life, and a deeper purpose beyond a corporate structure.
With negligible capital but unshakeable conviction, Trivedi founded Progressive Construction Company in partnership with C.M. Abhang, a fellow L&T civil engineer. From 1976 to 1996, the two worked relentlessly for 20 years, executing demanding infrastructure projects and building credibility brick by brick. In 1996, the organisation evolved into the Progressive Group, marking a decisive shift from contracting to integrated construction and real estate development. Over nearly five decades, Vinod Trivedi has been associated with several iconic infrastructure projects, including Vashi Railway Station, Nerul Rajiv Gandhi Flyover, Sanpada Subway, and multiple high-rise developments in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Alongside business, he has remained deeply connected with various social organisations, holding senior responsibilities and contributing actively to social causes—believing firmly that success carries responsibility toward society. He was fully involved with ISKCON Temple, Kharghar from barren land level to inauguration by PM Narendra Modi.
Beyond engineering and business, Trivedi’s life reflects an extraordinary commitment to personal growth. After the age of 59, when most professionals think of slowing down, he chose reinvention—training formally in Sugam Sangeet and embracing music as a spiritual and healing discipline. At 80, he continues to inspire through discipline, humility, creativity, and clarity of purpose.
In this in-depth conversation with dailynewsandtrends.in, Vinod Trivedi shares insights on business ethics, customer-centric thinking, family leadership, spirituality, music, success beyond money, and the lessons he believes young entrepreneurs must carry forward.
Excerpts:
What core values have guided the journey of Progressive Group, especially during challenging phases?
I am a civil engineer by profession and started my career with L&T, where I worked for six years. Coming from a middle-class family, L&T gave me financial stability, professional exposure, and respect far beyond my expectations. However, frequent transfers made me realise that if I wanted a meaningful family life, I had to create something of my own. Otherwise, I would keep moving from place to place endlessly. In 1976, at the age of 30, I took the difficult decision to quit L&T and started Progressive Construction Company with negligible funds and no external support. Initially, very few people believed in me. Leaving a reputed organisation like L&T in responsible position—is never easy. But when destiny wants you to grow, it also gives you the courage to take tough decisions.
When resources are limited, your thinking automatically becomes disciplined. You cannot afford mistakes. You begin to understand customers deeply—and over time, I realised that the best way to serve customers is to become a customer yourself. For the first 20 years, I worked purely as a contractor, executing landmark projects such as Vashi Railway Station, Nerul Rajiv Gandhi Flyover, Sanpada Subway, and several high-rise buildings. Clients expected quality, economy, and timely execution—and we delivered consistently.
The second phase of my journey began when I turned 50 and entered real estate development. My elder son Devang Trivedi, a civil engineer with an MBA, and my younger son Jigar Trivedi, a commerce graduate with an Executive Development Programme from IIM Ahmedabad, joined me in almost from the beginning of Real Estate Business.
Our core philosophy has always remained unchanged:
“Before becoming a good businessman, become a good customer.
A homebuyer invests lifetime savings. They expect durability, structural strength, proper amenities, and above all—trust. Ethics, subject knowledge, values, and financial discipline are non-negotiable. Hard work has no alternative, and when it is combined with integrity, blessings naturally follow.
What inspired you to start learning music at the age of 59, and what does this decision reflect about you?
It is said there are 64 forms of art, and every human being is gifted with at least one or two—we only need to discover them. When you work in a field that you genuinely enjoy, effort turns into joy. Many people told me that I had a good voice. Due to professional responsibilities, I could not pursue music earlier. But when time permitted, I felt—why not now? At 59, I started formal training in Sugam Sangeet under Dr. Vikram Parlikar, who is a Doctor in Music and also a Doctor in Alternative Medicine (Music Therapy). At that age, classical music training is extremely difficult, but Sugam Sangeet allowed structured learning while still enabling me to sing classical compositions.
I trained seriously for over a decade and realised that music is not just an art—it is deeply healing. What began as a hobby became a blessing. Over the years, I have performed in more than 500 live shows, hosted radio and television programmes, and released devotional albums such as Bhakti Ki Ganga, Mere Ghar Aaye Ganpati, and Hare Krishna – Journey of ISKCON, featured on Sanskar TV and Aastha Bhajan TV Channel. I have had the honour of performing along with panels featuring Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal and other renowned singers, and I have performed for 16 consecutive Janmashtamis at ISKCON, including ISKCON Juhu—a stage once graced by legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi…
Starting something new at 60 and continuing at 80 requires discipline. Daily riyaaz is essential. God gives you a gift—it is your responsibility to nurture it.
How do you maintain mental balance while handling the pressures of the real estate industry?
Real estate is a beautiful business because it fulfils one of the most basic human needs—roti, kapda aur makaan. But it becomes dangerous when greed overtakes responsibility. We consciously chose steady growth, strict financial discipline, and ethical practices. People invest their lifetime earnings in a home. Our duty is to deliver quality without shortcuts, ensuring fairness to customers, partners, and vendors.
What role does spirituality play in shaping your business decisions and approach to life?
Spirituality is not religion—it is a way of living. Animals truly live in today. They neither worry about the past nor about the future, and that is why they enjoy life. Human beings, however, remain trapped between past regrets and future anxieties. The real strength lies in living in today. Most problems arise when we live in the past or worry excessively about the future. Life is a balance of mind, body, and soul. The mind stays happy with positive thoughts, the soul stays peaceful when you help others, and the body remains healthy with proper food, yoga, movement, and meditation. Live honestly, work sincerely, and sleep peacefully. Hard work never destroys—it strengthens.
Which actors, films, singers, and television serials have influenced you the most?
I admire artists who are great human beings first, and then great performers. Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Dharmendra are timeless—not only for their acting but for the values they represented on and off screen. Among films, Mother India, Gandhi, Sholay, Golmaal (Amol Palekar), Mugal E Azam, Mera nam Joker, Guide and Umrao Jaan… remain close to my heart. These films carry depth, culture, and strong human emotions. Music, to me, is eternal. K.L. Saigal, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, and Lata Mangeshkar are not just singers—they are institutions in themselves. As for television, Ramayan and Mahabharat remain unmatched. They are not serials; they are life manuals.
What message would you like to give to young entrepreneurs?
Do what you truly love and master it. Passion creates excellence, and enthusiasm attracts opportunity. In business, family partnerships often face challenges, but I am truly fortunate, My sons Devang and Jigar highly capable businessmen support me completely, and I guide them with experience. Youth brings fresh ideas, experience brings stability—together they create sustainable growth. When ego is absent and professionalism leads, business grows and family bonding becomes stronger. Age is never a limitation. Mindset is. Live honestly, work passionately with long term vision, and trust destiny.