Every once in a while, in the history of the world, an individual is born who transforms and elevates the lives of those around them. One such was Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta - a legend in his own lifetime, an individual endowed with exceptional entrepreneurial abilities; a humanist whose heart was filled with immense love and affection for people; a man to whom philanthropic generosity was second nature; an ardent nationalist and a contemporary of the Father of the Nation who practiced the doctrines of the Mahatma.

He was born at Gorana village, near Porbandar in the State of Gujarat in India, corresponding to 17th November, 1887. Driven by a spirit of adventure, he set sail to the beckoning shores of Africa at the tender age of 13 in the year 1900. The measure of his adventurous, enterprising and persevering spirit can be gauged by the fact that he made as many as forty-six trips between India and Africa at a time when sea voyages were fraught with uncertainty and danger. Indeed, on his very first voyage, the main mast of the country-craft in which he was travelling broke and weathering severe storms, he finally reached Africa six months after leaving the shores of India!

From his small trading outpost, it did not take long for his entrepreneurial ability to realise the vast potential of the land. Aided by bountiful nature and virgin, fertile soil, he soon started growing vegetables. Introduction of varieties of cotton through seeds imported from India, reaped a rich harvest and soon 29 ginneries were dotting the landscape.

The real reward came when he successfully grew sugarcane in the ubiquitous swampy areas. From sugarcane to manufacture of sugar was a natural corollary and he soon established himself as the undisputed Sugar King. Thereafter he turned his attention to tea and coffee plantations.

What endeared him to the people of Africa was his natural love and affection for all people - more particularly the oppressed and the downtrodden. Today, the various industries and business houses of the Mehta Group in Uganda and Kenya bear testimony to his contribution to the economic well-being of the people.

Having opened up employment opportunities for more than 10,000 Africans through his various activities and after firmly establishing his business empire in Africa, he turned his attention to India, his Motherland. The first unit he established in India was a textile unit at Porbandar. This was followed by oil mills, ginneries and a cement plant.

Set amidst sprawling 90 acre sylvan surroundings, the Arya Kanya Gurukul complex at Porbandar, Gujarat, established by the Founder, is a unique organisation dedicated to female education in modern India. The education system at Gurukul is a blend of the rich ancient Vedic heritage and the modern educational system with its orientation towards science and technology.

Nanjibhai always kept pace with technological developments and established the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium - the first of its kind in Western India.

Besides the Gurukul complex, Nanjibhai's homage to the Father of the Nation culminated in erecting the Kirti Mandir, a monument in memory of Gandhiji in his birth place, Porbandar. Similarly, keeping alive the memory of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, he built the Maharshi Dayanand Science College and donated it to the Education Society of Porbandar. It was characteristic of Nanjibhai that having erected the monument, he donated it to the Nation but thereafter detached himself totally from its management.

Nanjibhai imbibed Gandhiji's doctrine of trusteeship and for a number of years set aside ten percent of his vast earnings for the betterment of society. Even in Africa, Arya Girls School at Nairobi, Kampala and Mombasa; Town Hall, Mehta Library and Jubilee Park at Kampala, Arya Samaj Mandir at Dar-es-Salaam, Women's Association Hall etc. bear testimony to his contribution.

Glittering Honours

Nanjibhai was honoured during his lifetime by a grateful British Government confirming the title of M.B.E. for his work in Uganda. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna. On the cultural front, the late Kaka Kalelkar honoured him with a Dharma Ratna.

The End of Legend

25th August, 1969: The man who founded the industrial empire and the numerous educational and cultural institutions breathed his last to the chanting of the Lord's name 'Ram' by all those around him.

With the passing away of Shri Nanjibhai, the Mehta Group of Industries lost a mentor, Gurukul a Kulpita and India an entrepreneur of exceptional ability and a humanist of unparalleled magnitude.

Far away in Uganda, on the same day, 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.

His Excellency, A. Milton Obote, the then President of Uganda, 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."