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Jamnalal Bajaj | |
|---|---|
 Bajaj on a 1970 Stamp of India | |
| Born | Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj (1889-11-04)4 November 1889 |
| Died | 11 February 1942(1942-02-11) (aged 52) |
| Occupations | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 (includingKamalnayan Bajaj) |
Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj (4 November 1889 – 11 February 1942) was an Indian businessman and politician.[1] He founded theBajaj 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 ofMahatma Gandhi, who is known to have often declared that Jamnalal was his fifth son.[3]
Jamnalal Bajaj was born in 1889 into a poor family of farmers, to Kaniram and Birdibai, in a village named Kashi Ka Bas, near Sikar in Rajasthan state. In 1894, Seth Bachharaj Bajaj, a rich Marwari Agarwal 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 Bachharaj was a distant relative on his father's side and was a well-known and respected trader in theBritish Raj.
Upon coming of age, under the tutelage of Seth Bachharaj, Jamnalal got involved in the family business of his adoptive family. During this period, he acquired the skills of being a tradesman, rigorous bookkeeping and buying and selling commodities. He excelled in his work by the time Seth Bachharaj died. In 1926, Jamnalal founded what would become theBajaj group of industries.
Jamnalal was married at age twelve toJanki Devi, who was around nine years old.[5] Their son was businessman and politicianKamalnayan Bajaj.
During theFirst World War, the British government appeased and honoured native tradesmen, soliciting funds. They appointed Jamnalal an honorary magistrate. When he provided money for the war fund, they conferred on him the title ofRai Bahadur, a title he later surrendered during the non-co-operation movement of 1921.[6]
UponMahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa, Jamnalal took in interest inGandhi's way of life, his principles, such asAhimsa (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 theSabarmati 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]
In 1920, Jamanalal was elected chairman of the reception committee for theNagpur session of theIndian National Congress. He gave up the title ofRai Bahadur conferred on him by the British government and joined the non-co-operation movement in 1921. Later, in 1923, he participated in the flagsatyagraha, defying a ban on flying the national flag inNagpur, and was detained by British forces. This earned him national admiration.
He wanted Gandhi to move toWardha and make it the center of his activities. After theDandi March in April 1930, Gandhi moved toSevagram, a small village nearWardha, since he wanted to live close to the rural populace. Gandhi vowed not to return toSabarmati Ashram until freedom was achieved.
Jamanalal was named the president ofGandhi Seva Sangha, a group of workers who dedicated their time to constructive work. He was later elected a member of theCongress Working Committee and as the treasurer of Congress in 1933.
Jamanalal Bajaj was interested in initiatives such as the removal ofuntouchability, promotion ofHindi, andKhadi and village Industries. He had toured across the country promotingKhadi. In 1925, he was chosen as the treasurer of the All India Spinners Association. He was also the president of theAll India Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (literary convention) that promoted Hindi as the single language to unite all Indians. He was instrumental in publishing Hindi magazines and books. He initiated the Gandhi Hindi Pustak Bhandar (bookshop) in Bombay and started theSasta Sahitya Mandal (publishing house).
He founded theDakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha along withC. Rajagopalachari in hopes of spreading the learning of Hindi across the country.
From 1927, he served as the first Treasurer of the Managing Committee ofJamia 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 ofHarijans intoHindu temples in his home town of Wardha. As orthodox Hindu priests andBrahmins 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 RajyaPraja Mandal in 1938. While chief, he negotiated a truce between the Maharajas ofSikar andJaipur.
In honour of his social initiatives the Jamnalal Bajaj Award has been instituted by the Bajaj Foundation.[8] Past awardees includeNelson Mandela andDesmund Tutu.
BesidesBajaj Auto Ltd, the other major companies in the group includeMukand Ltd,Bajaj Electricals Ltd and Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd. His two sons,Kamalnayan Bajaj andRamkrishna Bajaj, took his business forward. One of his grandsons,Rahul Bajaj, ran the family flagship company, Bajaj Auto.
Several institutions in India bear his name, including theJamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. A locality,JB Nagar, in the sub-urbanAndheri inMumbai has been named after him.Jamnalal Bajaj Award was established in 1978 by theJamnalal Bajaj Foundation and are given away each year on his birth anniversary.[9]
