Seth Walchand Hirachand Part - 4
However, it is not that he was never defeated in his undertakings. To use maximum indigenous natural resources was his logic of economic development. On these lines he tried to start ( 1907 ) Sholapur Mining Company but could not succeed. In 1935 he tried to run an alluminium plant near Radhanagari but in vain. The attempts to start a starch industry from Potatos, Vegetable, Ghee, Soya-bean as food stuff also were unsuccessful.
Walchand was a lover of solitude. He used to keep away from social, political & religious gatherings To him business problems were of prime importance, In spite of being Director of more than 60 public / private companies employing more than 5000 highly trained persons and over 2 lakhs unskilled labourers he found time to take interest in music, drama and cinema and used to spend time in the company of men of literature.
Seth Walchand was responsible for the dawn of industrial revolution 'in India. He established major industries transport ( sea, air, road 1, sugar, salt and cement industries, construction companies, and also industries for manufacturing machinery for sugar and eement Industries. It was his ceaseless effort and untirtng devotion to the cause of industriai advancement in India that brought about the formation of the National Rayon Corporation, chemical industries and various other industries.
Our institution has close ties with the Walchand Group of industries who have generously helped us in standing on our own in the face of heavy financial odds and we are proud to bear his name.
He left for heavenly abode on 8th, April 1953, after devoting his entire life to the cause of industrial and economic growth. Not many can surpass his achie-vements, he was indeed a giant among gaints and looking upto him we can but repeat what Mark Anthony said about Julius Ceaesar —
" His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man ! “