From 4th November 1889 till 11 Feb 1942, Shri Jamnalal Bajaj* was a guest of Mother India.In his lifetime, though considerably a short period, he was able to make his mark both in business as well as public life. The fact that he came to be known as the "fifth son of Mahatma Gandhi" was no mean achievement.That I was asked to participate and design the first photographic exhibition to commemorate his ninetieth birth anniversary was an honor.
"LIFE & TIMES of JAMNALAL BAJAJ" was inaugurated by President Sanjeeva Reddy at the prestigious AIFACS, New Delhi. With Mahatma Gandhi and freedom movement
as background, the exhibition traveled all over India. The conversion of the last abode of Jamnalalji into a gallery-cum-museum inaugurated by RAHUL BAJAJ in the presence of Acharya Vinoba Bhave and now lies permanently at Wardha. The Legacy of 'JLB' continues and very recently, the great grandson Rajiv was chosen amongst the many leaders for the HT Summit to put forth his views on business.
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Nostalgia :
It was during our exhibition at Wardha that Sir Richard Attenburogh discussed with the Secretary General of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, the one & only US Mohan Rao, the script of his film Gandhi (amongst others). In fact, he was my main Mentor and the link to Mr Ramkrishna Bajaj. I have many such anecdotes about the latter's humility and regard for the professional. Lastly, in the film Gandhi, I was honored to play a small role as one of Gandhiji's companions at the place he was shot at. Incidentally, the film starts and ends with this scene. I truly believe this was my first hand experience of professionalism in films.
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* Freedom fighter, social reformer and humanitarian, Jamnalal Bajaj, was born in Kashi -ka- Bas in Rajasthan on November 4, 1889. He was essentially a sadhka (spiritual aspirant). Early in life he was in quest of a guru who could guide him to lead a pure and purposeful life. When Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa, Jamnalalji met him and paid several visits to the Sabarmati Ashram.....
Gandhiji on JLB....." In Seth Jamnalalji death has taken a mighty man. Whenever I wrote of wealthy men becoming trustees of their wealth for the common good I always had the merchant prince principally in mind."
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