Nanji Kalidas Mehta
Encyclopedia
Nanji Kalidas Mehta was an Industrialist and Philanthropist
from Gujarat. He was founded the Mehta Group
of Industries in Uganda
, now having its head office in India
.
family on 17 November 1887 in Gorana village, near Porbandar
in the Indian state of Gujarat. He left for Africa at the age of thirteen in 1900.
He married Santokben Mehta and had three sons Dhirendra Nanji Mehta, Khimji Nanji Mehta and Mahendra Nanji Mehta. Shekhar Mehta
, the sports car legend and Jai Mehta
, the businessman are his grandsons. His daughter Savita is a well known social activist and in the field of dance.
He started his career as a trader and successfully ventured into growing vegetable, cotton and then sugarcane in swamps of Africa. He then turned in sugar manufacturing and tea and coffee plantations in East Africa. He in his later life also started Cement plant, ginneries, textile unit and oil mills in India. He thus founded the Mehta Group
on conglomerate, which is now spread across the globe.
He was contemporary of some other Gujarati businessman and philanthropist of East Africa like Meghji Pethraj Shah, Muljibhai Madhvani
and others. On the original building of Muljibhai Maghvani's office in Jinja
, Nanjibhai's name still appears as DUKA YA KALIDASI, a mark of their friendship.
He established the present day Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited
under the name Uganda Sugar Factory in 1924 at Lugazi
. He was one of the first exporters of Uganda’s cotton to Japan and other places which greatly helped in the establishment of the cotton industry in Uganda.
In 1932 he established cotton mill named Maharana Mills in Porbandar, the land for which was given at measly sum by Maharana Natwarsinhji of Porbandar, which employed 2500 workers at time of independence. Nanjibhai was a Arya Samaji and was instrumental in giving Dalit
s the job in spite of protests by Brahmin
s. Again it was for breaking the strike in this Maharana Mills, Nanjibhai is said to have employed services of Devu and Karsan Vagher in late 1960s.
In 1956 he established Saurashtra Cement Limited in Gujarat.
In 1966, he published his Autobiography
named Dreams half expressed, where he said “The way to success is a hard road to travel. Disappointments and failures dishearten us in the midst of struggle but a man of enterprise has to pass through the period with patience and cheerfulness till he gets his well deserved returns.”
He died on 25 August 1969 at Porbandar
in India.
. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna
. On the cultural front, the late Kaka Kalelkar honored him with a Dharma Ratna.
A. Milton Obote
, the President of Uganda
at the time his death of said: In the passing away of Mr. Nanjibhai Mehta, Uganda has lost a true friend and a man who made tremendous contributions in laying the foundations of our economy. It is sad to see the passing of a man of Mr. Mehta's stature, but he will, I am sure, be long remembered for his charitable acts, not only in Uganda and East Africa but also in India.
In Uganda, upon his death, the flag flew at half mast. Uganda mourned the loss of an illustrious son of India who was as much Ugandan as any native son of the soil. The Indian on whom this singular honour was bestowed was neither a politician nor any head of state, but a down-to-earth realist.
After his demise
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
from Gujarat. He was founded the Mehta Group
Mehta Group
The Mehta Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Mehta Group is a conglomerate based in Mumbai, India with subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Kenya and Uganda. The group employs in excess of 15,000 people worldwide and has an asset base in excess of US$350...
of Industries in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, now having its head office in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Lifesketch
Mehta was born to a LohanaLohana
The Lohana also referred to as Luvana are an Indian caste,largely classified as merchants and are categorized as Vaishya or Bania caste although their ancient history proves that they are Kshatriya of Suryavanshi descant, claiming their lineage from Lava, son of Rama...
family on 17 November 1887 in Gorana village, near Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
in the Indian state of Gujarat. He left for Africa at the age of thirteen in 1900.
He married Santokben Mehta and had three sons Dhirendra Nanji Mehta, Khimji Nanji Mehta and Mahendra Nanji Mehta. Shekhar Mehta
Shekhar Mehta
Chandrashekhar "Shekhar" Mehta was a Ugandan-born Kenyan rally driver. He won the Safari Rally a record five times , including four consecutively, and in 1981 finished fifth in the World Rally Championship...
, the sports car legend and Jai Mehta
Jai Mehta
Jay Mehta is a British businessman of Indian origin and the husband of Miss India, actress Juhi Chawla. Mehta and Chawla, along with actor Shah Rukh Khan, are co-owners of the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders. Mehta was earlier married to Sujata Birla, sister of Yash Birla who died...
, the businessman are his grandsons. His daughter Savita is a well known social activist and in the field of dance.
He started his career as a trader and successfully ventured into growing vegetable, cotton and then sugarcane in swamps of Africa. He then turned in sugar manufacturing and tea and coffee plantations in East Africa. He in his later life also started Cement plant, ginneries, textile unit and oil mills in India. He thus founded the Mehta Group
Mehta Group
The Mehta Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Mehta Group is a conglomerate based in Mumbai, India with subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Kenya and Uganda. The group employs in excess of 15,000 people worldwide and has an asset base in excess of US$350...
on conglomerate, which is now spread across the globe.
He was contemporary of some other Gujarati businessman and philanthropist of East Africa like Meghji Pethraj Shah, Muljibhai Madhvani
Muljibhai Madhvani
Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
and others. On the original building of Muljibhai Maghvani's office in Jinja
Jinja
Jinja may be:* Jinja, Uganda, a city in eastern Uganda close to the source of the Nile River* Jinja District, the district in Uganda named after the above city* Jinja, a Shinto shrine* Jinja , a template engine...
, Nanjibhai's name still appears as DUKA YA KALIDASI, a mark of their friendship.
He established the present day Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited
Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited
-Overview:SCOUL is the third-largest manufacturer of sugar in Uganda, producing an estimated 60,000 metric tonnes annually, accounting for approximately 17% of national output. Kakira Sugar Works, in Kakira, Jinja District, is the largest sugar manufacturer in the country, accounting for...
under the name Uganda Sugar Factory in 1924 at Lugazi
Lugazi
Lugazi is a town in Buikwe District, in Central Uganda. The town is also called Kawolo, and the two names are interchangeably used by the local inhabitants.-Location:...
. He was one of the first exporters of Uganda’s cotton to Japan and other places which greatly helped in the establishment of the cotton industry in Uganda.
In 1932 he established cotton mill named Maharana Mills in Porbandar, the land for which was given at measly sum by Maharana Natwarsinhji of Porbandar, which employed 2500 workers at time of independence. Nanjibhai was a Arya Samaji and was instrumental in giving Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
s the job in spite of protests by Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s. Again it was for breaking the strike in this Maharana Mills, Nanjibhai is said to have employed services of Devu and Karsan Vagher in late 1960s.
In 1956 he established Saurashtra Cement Limited in Gujarat.
In 1966, he published his Autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
named Dreams half expressed, where he said “The way to success is a hard road to travel. Disappointments and failures dishearten us in the midst of struggle but a man of enterprise has to pass through the period with patience and cheerfulness till he gets his well deserved returns.”
He died on 25 August 1969 at Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
in India.
Honors
During his lifetime he was honored by British with the title of M.B.E. for his work in UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna
Raj Ratna
Raj Ratna / Raj Ratan / Rajya Ratna , was a highest title of honor or civilian award, which was prevalent in Princely India during British Raj. Such title were given by rulers of mostly Hindu Princely States of India to distinguished citizens of their kingdom...
. On the cultural front, the late Kaka Kalelkar honored him with a Dharma Ratna.
A. Milton Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
, the President of Uganda
President of Uganda
-List of Presidents of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Prime Minister of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
at the time his death of said: In the passing away of Mr. Nanjibhai Mehta, Uganda has lost a true friend and a man who made tremendous contributions in laying the foundations of our economy. It is sad to see the passing of a man of Mr. Mehta's stature, but he will, I am sure, be long remembered for his charitable acts, not only in Uganda and East Africa but also in India.
In Uganda, upon his death, the flag flew at half mast. Uganda mourned the loss of an illustrious son of India who was as much Ugandan as any native son of the soil. The Indian on whom this singular honour was bestowed was neither a politician nor any head of state, but a down-to-earth realist.
India
- Kirti MandirKirti Mandir, PorbandarKirti Mandir is the memorial temple built in memory of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi located in city of Porbandar, Gujarat, India.-Background:...
at PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, which houses the ancestral house of Mahatma GandhiMahatma GandhiMohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
and a memorial/temple built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, was mainly built due to efforts and money donated by Nanji Kalidas Mehta.
- Arya Kanya GurukulArya Kanya GurukulArya Kanya Gurukul situated at Porbandar, Gujarat, is one of the premier Girls K-12 Boarding School of India.The school complex is set amidst sprawling 90 acre sylvan surroundings, is dedicated to female education in modern India...
, a Girls Resident School was started by him in 1936.
- Arya Samaj Girls School and Collage / Gurukul Women's College of Arts and Commerce was started by him in 1956 at Porbandar.
- He built the Maharshi Dayanand Science College and donated it to the Education Society of Porbandar and named it after Swami Dayanand Saraswati, to keep people alive of memory of great saint of India.
- Jawahralal Nehru Planetarium also called Tara Mandir was started by him in Porbandar, being the first in Western India. The planetarium has a gallery dedicated to Quit India MovementQuit India MovementThe Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
.
- The Bharat Mandir at Porbandar is a unique edifice housing the cultural history and heritage of the country in paintings and in quotes on the surrounding walls and pillars and with a relief map of India in the centre.
- In 2006 the Shri Santokba Vidyamandir was inaugurated in memory of Santokba, the wife of Nanjibhai, under the auspices of the Arya Kanya Vidyalaya Trust at Porbandar.
- N.K. Mehta Hospital in Probandar.
- N.K. Mehta Science Collage in Probandar.
- Rokadiya HanumanHanumanHanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
Temple at Probandar, which is now a tourist attraction of town.
- At Bombay, the N. K. Mehta International House, a building built by Brihad Bharatiya Samaj, a non-political society designed for educational, social and economical interest of Indians abroad was built with a major donation from Nanji Kalidas Mehta. The building houses a library, research wing, auditorium and hostel.
- Rest Houses and DharamshalasDharamshalasDharamshalas is the term for a religious resthouse. In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.Sometimes they are...
at JunagadhJunagadhJunagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
, GirnarGirnarGirnar is a collection of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India, situated near Junagadh at a distance of 327 km from Ahmedabad. It is a holy place and an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Jains. There are a number of temples located here. Amidst the lush green Gir...
, HaridwarHaridwarHaridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
After his demise
- Nanji Kalidas DAV Public School at JunagadhJunagadhJunagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
is named after him.
- Nanji Kalidas DAV Public School at VeravalVeravalVeraval is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located 6 km from Somnath.- History :...
is also named after him.
- Recently, Jai MehtaJai MehtaJay Mehta is a British businessman of Indian origin and the husband of Miss India, actress Juhi Chawla. Mehta and Chawla, along with actor Shah Rukh Khan, are co-owners of the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders. Mehta was earlier married to Sujata Birla, sister of Yash Birla who died...
, grandson of Nanji Kalidas and husband of Juhi ChawlaJuhi ChawlaJuhi Chawla is an Indian actress, film producer and television presenter.After being crowned as the winner of the Miss India beauty contest in 1984, Chawla pursued an acting career...
along with Shah Rukh Khan, who together are co-owners of Kolkata Knight RidersKolkata Knight RidersKolkata Knight Riders is the franchise representing Kolkata in the Indian Premier League, a Twenty20 cricket tournament. Sourav Ganguly led the team in IPL1 and IPL3, Brendon McCullum in IPL2, and Gautam Gambhir in IPL4...
have decided to take over existing ground named Duleep cricket ground at PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
and develop it into a world class cricket stadium, which will be named Nanji Kalidas Mehta Stadium.
Uganda
- The Mehta GroupMehta GroupThe Mehta Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Mehta Group is a conglomerate based in Mumbai, India with subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Kenya and Uganda. The group employs in excess of 15,000 people worldwide and has an asset base in excess of US$350...
founded by him runs a hospital at LugaziLugaziLugazi is a town in Buikwe District, in Central Uganda. The town is also called Kawolo, and the two names are interchangeably used by the local inhabitants.-Location:...
and various dispensaries and runs 2 Nursery Schools, 13 Primary Schools and 1 Secondary School to provide education for more than 6,000 children in various cities like KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, JinjaJinja, UgandaJinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
, Lugazi, etc.
Kenya
- He started the very first nursery school in East Africa at MombasaMombasaMombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, which was founded in the year 1934. The school was named Santokben Nanji Kalidas Mehta Nursery School. In 2006 the Mehta Group completely renovated, refurbished the school.
- Arya Girls School at NairobiNairobiNairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
- Arya Girls School at KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
.
- Town Hall, Mehta Library and Jubilee Park at Kampala.
- The opening of The Desai Memorial Hall built with donations dedicated to Manilal Ambalal Desai was done by Nanji Kalidas Mehta in 1934. The foundation stone of it was laid with hands of Sarojini NaiduSarojini NaiduSarojini Naidu , also known by the sobriquet The Nightingale of India, was a child prodigy, Indian independence activist and poet...
in 1929.
Tanzania
- Arya Samaj Mandir at Dar-es-Salaam
- Women's Association Hall at Dar-es-Salaam.