Seth Walchand Hirachand Part - 2

He passed his matriculation examination in 1899 from Sholapur and joined his father's business in Bombay. His keen interest in studies led him to complete his Intermediate from St. Xavier's College. He was impressed by the works. of great national. leaders like Dadabhai Navroji, Justice M. G. Ranade. Raobahadur G. V. Joshi, R. C Dutt. It awakened this keenly inteligent man to the government's one sided and unfair policies of keeping India solely as a supplier of raw materials. In fact, Walclund's mind was nourished by the works of Justice Ranade. The same was to shape the future events of his life.

With the outbreak of plague, Walchand left Bombay to study at Deccan College, Pune. In spite of his love for literature and Sanskrit, he selected History and Economics for his B. A. studies. Fate dealt a cruel blow to him by snatching away his elder brothers, Manikchand and Jivraj. Walchand hastened to Bombay to serve hls family members in all possible ways, These events crushed Seth Hirachand and disenchanted him from business. The burden now passed on to Walchand who forsook his ambition of becoming a graduate and gathered the reins of business.

The resources available to him limited the scope for large business activity. He. was guided by his father and uncle. Through his dealings, Walchand acquired a reputation of being a man who kept his word. People used to respect and honour him. However, Walchand was not satisfied. He had gigantic ideas of strengthening the Indian economy by establishing a network of industries. He was not only an observer of India's political, economic, and social situation but also a doctor feeling the pulse of industrial development and taking remedial measures. However, his efforts stunned the world and forced them to sit back and take notice of the abilities of Indians in every walk of Industry.

And he got the opportunity, he desired, when B. L. Phatak approached Walchand for financing an 11 km. railway between Yedshi and Tadwal on Barshi light Railway. Walchand entered not only as a financer but also as an executive. He shared the hardships with Mr. Phatak and won acclaim as an efficient executive and a noble and considerate employer. He completed the work in record time and subsequently got anothor contract for a railway between Boribunder and Curry Road at Bombay which he completed on his own.