Tycoon of Morales

His terms with British and Indian revolutionaries were like the gold-plated phases of a coin which would shine out in any situation. An industrialist and a close acquaintance of Gandhi his role in Gandhian movements earned him national admiration.

Bajaj, the man farsighted founder of Bajaj Group of Industries; Image Source: India times

Every Indian household is equipped with something which has a Bajaj logo on it captioned, “since 1926”, leaving us wondering how a company before the Independence of India set its roots here which is growing and grabbing eyeballs till date? The Humara Bajaj jingle stills rings a bell of nostalgia as we travel down the lanes of memory and history of a company which was built on the core value of serving the society.

Founded in 1926 as Bajaj Group of Industries by Jamnalal Bajaj, the company made it to the pinnacle even in times when the colonial rule was playing a foul game against the revolutionaries participating in the freedom struggle. In fact, he was a respected figure who was also conferred with the title of Rai Bahadur by the British officials after his unsurmountable help and solicitation of funds for the British armed forces during World War I.

Born to Kaniram and Birdibai near Sikar district of Rajasthan on 4th November, 1889 he was later adopted as the grandson of his distant relative Seth Bachhraj and Sadibai Bachhraj. The rich merchant taught him the ways of dealing and art of trading. He grew up and became the Bachhraj heir and named the company on his late grandfather.

With the increasing charm of Gandhi and his appeal amongst the masses, Jamnalal returned his title of Rai Bahadur in the year of 1921 under the raging influence and cause of the Non- Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi, as he urged every citizen to take part in it.

The Swadeshi concept of Khadi and domestic production and consumption against the advances of global companies buying raw material and using machines to sell off finished goods in India had a huge impact on Bajaj and he became his loyal supporter in the journey. His bond with Gandhi was such that Gandhi even called him his fifth son. The relationship and bond not only made him nation’s grounded industrialist but also an impactful decision maker who started living with his family in Sabarmati Ashram like Gandhi.

A believer of equality and a staunch critique of caste-based discrimination, he built the Laxminarayan temple in Wardha open for Harijans to visit and pray. This was a befitting reply to the brahmins who were displeasured by the idea of outcasts entering the sphere of temple and its piety. Jamnalal Bajaj also proceeded to build wells and other amenities for the outcasts in his garden.

His nationwide admiration came to notice during his free-spirited participation in the Flag Satyagrah in Nagpur, wherein unfurling of tiranga was criminalised under the British laws to control any sparks of Swaraj in India. Jamnalal unfurled the tiranga and eventually had to face the criminal proceedings which made him a nationalist hero.

An entrepreneur without philanthropy is more or less like a vessel full of wealth locked in a safe, which neither helps one nor gives one a sense of security. Jamnalal was an enthusiast who believed that India would rise and shine only when the ill practices like casteism, illiteracy and dependence on goods of foreign production will get eradicated from the here. He was the first treasurer of the Managing Committee of Jamia Milia Islamia university. His efforts to rekindle the Nationalist spirit with a social responsibility as an industrialist was evident through his actions.

He was man of actions and morales, and was often looked up to resolve the matters of clashing egos. One such incident is his initiation of truce between the Maharajas of Jaipur and Sikar in 1928 as the elected chief of the Jaipur Rajya Praja Mandal.

His political career didn’t last long but was an impactful one. He was named the president of Gandhi Seva Sangha and later got elected as a member of the Congress Working Committee and as the treasurer of Congress in 1933. His conflict with his beloved Gandhi was on the grounds of belief that the Congress Working Committee shouldn’t take part in the 1938 elections amidst the attack of communalism on the spirit of Nationalism. His plea wasn’t heard and to express his displeasure he left the Presidentship of Haripura Session of the Congress and passed it to Subhash Chandra Bose.

The Bajaj Foundation presents Jamnalal Bajaj Award in his memory to the entities who believe in a leadership for the betterment of society. Eminent figures like Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela are its celebrated recipients.

A man of courage and a farsighted vision to see India breathe in independent air, Jamnalal Bajaj ji’s spirit stays alive with his legacy of the Bajaj Group of Industries.

Mahatma Gandhi with Jamnalal Bajaj, Satyagraha Ashram, Wardha, 1934; Image Source: BLOGSPOT, BLOGSCOOLPICS