‘My Fair Lady’, ‘President’, and ‘Angola’ were some of the brands that the woollen mill became famous for. These varieties enchanted the world. The country demanded more, but the factory could not keep pace. Old-timers say the mill was not just a factory; it was a work in progress, with an entire district thriving on it.These days, barely 120 workers remain on its rolls, compared to the 3,700 it had before it was privatised in the early nineties. The mill was owned by the Kolkata-based SK Bajoria Group of Industries. Later, in 1991, the Ministry of Textiles brought it under its ambit after the Centre nationalised it. It is often cited as an example of how private companies can outperform government-run ones. Private entrepreneurship focuses on profit maximisation, innovation and rapid decision-making, whereas government enterprises prioritise public welfare, social development and stability. Workers say that had it remained in private hands, it would have thrived.At one time, the factory spread across hundreds of acres of prime land, producing some of the country’s best woollen clothes. The Army and paramilitary forces were its primary buyers.The problems began when it became a government entity. Like many government-run projects, it floundered instead of flourishing. In comparison, private mills — with more sophisticated infrastructure and a disciplined work culture — emerged in nearby cities and began to prosper.It was once considered the pride of Punjab and a major contributor to India’s wool industry. In fact, the entire township developed around the mill’s premises. Old-timers still grow nostalgic when discussions turn to the mill.The King is dead, long live the King.