Jamnalal Bajaj
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Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj (4 November 1889 – 11 February 1942) was an Indian industrialist.[1] He founded the Bajaj Group of companies in the 1920s, and the group now has 24 companies, including six that are listed on the bourses.[2] He was also a close and beloved associate of Mahatma Gandhi, who is known to have often declared that Jamnalal was his fifth son.[3]
Background and early life
Jamnalal Bajaj was born in 1889 into a poor family of Kaniram and Birdibai in a village named Kashi Ka Bas, near Sikar in Jaipur state. In 1894, Seth Bachharaj Bajaj, a rich Wardha businessman, and his family were going to Kashi Ka Bas village temple. They spotted young Jamnalal playing outside his home and were drawn to him. After much persuasion, Jamnalal was adopted as Seth Bajaj's grandson. In return, Bajaj installed a well in order to help the village.[4]
Seth Bachhraj(bajaj) was a distant relative on his father's side, and was a well-known and respected trader in the British Raj.
Jamnalal was married at age twelve to JankiDevi, who was around nine years old.[5]
Upon coming of age, under the tutelage of Seth Bachhraj, Jamnalal got involved in the family business of his adoptive family. During this period, he acquired the skills of being a tradesman, rigorous book keeping and buying and selling commodities. He excelled in his work by the time Seth Bachhraj died. In 1926, Jamnalal founded what would become the Bajaj group of industries.
Honorary Magistrate
During the
Follower of Gandhi
Upon Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa, Jamnalal took in interest in Gandhi's way of life, his principles, such as Ahimsa (non-violence), and his dedication to the poor. He could understand Gandhi's vision that home-made goods were the answer to India's poverty. He considered that some British companies were importing cheap, raw cotton from India and sending back finished cloth. He was humbled by the simple life that Gandhi was leading at the Sabarmati Ashram. He was impressed by the Ashram's routine of prayer and physical work. He brought his wife Jankidevi and his children to live in the Ashram. However, this close relationship and his deep involvement in the independence movement did not leave Jamnalal Bajaj with much time to spend on his newly launched business venture.[7]
Freedom struggle
In 1920, Jamanalal was elected chairman of the reception committee for the
He wanted Gandhi to move to
Jamanalal was named the president of Gandhi Seva Sangha, a group of workers who dedicated their time to constructive work. He was later elected a member of the Congress Working Committee and as the treasurer of Congress in 1933.
Social initiatives
Jamanalal Bajaj was interested in initiatives such as the removal of
He founded the
From 1927, he served as the first Treasurer of the Managing Committee of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Later in 1928, he became a life member of the university, while still serving as the treasurer.
With the intent of eradicating untouchability, he fought the non-admission of
objected, he opened his own family temple, the Laxmi Narayan Mandir, in Wardha, for the Harijans in 1928. He began a campaign by eating a meal with Harijans and opening public wells to them. He opened several wells in his fields and gardens.Due to his devotion, he was elected the chief of the Jaipur Rajya
.In honour of his social initiatives the Jamnalal Bajaj Award has been instituted by the Bajaj Foundation.
Business interests
Besides
Legacy and memorials
Several institutions in India bear his name, including the
References
- ^ Tikoo, Rajiv (2 January 2000). "The Gandhian spirit". Financial Express. Indian Express Group. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
- ^ Kalesh, Baiju (6 April 2012). "In Bajaj family, business sense over-rules ties". Financial Express. Indian Express Group.
- ^ Bajaj, Rahul (16 September 2017). "Jamnalal Bajaj embodied Gandhi's ethics to such an extent that Mahatma 'adopted' him as 5th son". India Today.
- ISBN 9781139456579.
- ^ Nanda, Bal Ram (1990). In Gandhi's Footsteps The Life and Times of Jamnalal Bajaj. Oxford University Press. p. 9.
- ^ "About Jamnalal Bajaj | Jamnalal Bajaj Wardha". Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "History of Bajaj Auto".
- ^ "Innovations of India ::: Bajaj Foundation". Archived from the original on 6 May 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
- ^ "Jamnalal Bajaj Award". Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012.
Further reading
- In Gandhi's Footsteps : The Life and Times of Jamnalal Bajaj by B. R. Nanda, Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-566343-3
- Shriman Narayan (1974). Jamnalal Bajaj: Gandhiji's 'fifth son'. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India.
External links
- Official website of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation