Seth Walchand Hirachand Part - 1

Architect of Indian Industry
Seth Walchand Hirachand was a man of rare talent. A perspicacious visionary, he was unmistakably convinced that his life mission was to free India from her economic bondage He knew India's needs. More than that, he knew India's capability. This article is a tribute to this great industrialist on the auspicious occasion of his birth centenary.
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Eighteenth July, 1980 was a red letter day for the Indian Scientists and technocrats. This was the day when the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched 35 kg. satellite Rohini.

The fabrication of the fuel containers for SLV-3 sputnik used for launching Rohini was done at Walchandnagar. This unit has also developed the highly sophisticated technology of manufacturing Gear Boxes ( from turbine to propeller shaft ) for Leandre Type frigates. These achievements deserve to be entered in golden letters in the annals of Indian Industry. Although lagging behind the West in technological achievements, we are speedily catching up.

Herein lay the far-sightedness of the Late Seth Walchand Hirachand Doshi, an architect of lndian Industry, whose pioneering efforts 35 years prior to our Independence have earned for India, a place of pride on the technological scene. His relentless efforts and zeal for the growth of Indian Industry have been responsible for reducing the backlog caused by 150 years of dependence and slavery.

Seth Walchand Hirachand Doshi was born cn 23rd November, 1882, at Sholapur in a well known family active in the field of commerce, politics and religion. However, little Walchand lost his mother within fifteen days after his birth. Seth Hirachand, his father, took great inierest in the bringing up of his children. Being a staunch and devout Jain he attached supreme importance to self-denial. He inculcated a spirit of service, devotion to religion, duty, and society in his children. It was in this atmosphere, that Walchand imbibed the spirit of self reliance, self-confidence, and ceaseless work.