Harakh Chand Nahata
Harakh Chand Nahata
 | |
|---|---|
| Born |
18 July 1936 Bikaner, Rajasthan, India |
| Died |
21 February 1999 (aged 62) New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation |
Commodities Trader Film Financier Real Estate Developer |
| Religion | Jain |
| Spouse(s) | Smt. Rukhmani Devi Nahata |
| Children |
Lalit Kumar Nahata Lt. Ashok Kumar Nahata Pradeep Kumar Nahata Dilip Kumar Nahata |
Shri Harakh Chand Nahata (18 July 1936 – 21 February 1999) was a prominent Indian businessman and social leader.
He was born on 18 July 1936 in Bikaner (Rajasthan), in an illustrious family. His uncle Late Agar Chand Nahata and elder brother 'Sahitya Vachaspati' Shri Bhanwar Lal Nahata were acknowledged authority on Prakrit literature, Jain canonical literature and scriptures. His family's priceless private collection of more than 85,000 books, manuscripts, works of arts etc. at Abhay Jain Granthagar, Bikaner (Rajasthan) is unique. His family has more than 175 years of business presence in the field of trading and distribution in Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Calcutta, Tripura and erstwhile East Bengal (now Bangladesh) Sh. Nahata after completing his schooling at Bikaner and during college years in Calcutta, started his career.
The Department of Posts, Govt. of India, released a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 5 denomination on Shri Harakh Chand Nahata on 28 February 2009 in Mumbai.
He died on 21 February 1999 in New Delhi, after a brief illness.
Business and trade
Tripura Town Out-Agency
Shri Harakh Chand Nahata was the first person who started road transportation in the difficult and inhabitable terrain of Tripura. Handling the largest Railway Out agency in Tripura (Tripura Town out Agency) and establishing a large network of road transport at heavy costs and risks, he was instrumental in starting economic development and two way traffic to bring economic gains for the tribal people and the state of Tripura.
Technicians' studio
He contributed a lot for the development of cinema in Eastern India through his Technicians Studio. Calcutta, with which many internationally acclaimed directors like Satyajit Ray, Hritwik Ghatak & Basu Bhattacharya etc. were associated. Later, he turned a film financier and Realtor. Shri Harakh Chand Nahata encouraged many upcoming artists of films and performing arts with his advice, help and patronage. He was a connoisseur of art and literature and secretly helped many budding artists, poets and writers. He spotted talents of writers and published many books at his own cost to encourage them including a Hindi monthly magazine.
For his multi faceted contributions to the trade and industry, he was honored with awards by the Vice President of India and Lt. Governor of Delhi.
Social contributions
He was a well known social leader and philanthropist, associated with more than 60 socio-religious organizations and Trusts like Heart Care Foundation of India, Shanti Mandir-Bithari, Prakrit Bharati, Rishabhdev Foundation, Veerayatan, Rajasthan Bharati, Shri Ambika Niketan Trust, Ahimsa International, Shri Jain Mahasabha. Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Vishwa Jain Parishad and many others in different capacities. From (1990 onwards) he was the President of Akhil Bhartiya Shree Jain Shwetamber Khartargachha Mahasangh, the apex national representative body of thousands of Jains of this sect.
Harakh Chand Nahata Marg
On 1 March 2007, famous Indian wrestler, actor and Member of Parliament (India) (Rajya Sabha) Lt. Shri Dara Singh inaugurated "Harakh Chand Nahata Marg (Road) " which interconnects three villages of South-West Delhi, namely Nanakheri, Badusarai and Raghopur. Shri Nahata's family is in the process of developing a Farmhouse Scheme in that area by the name of Westyn Park.
Bust Unveiling
In a ceremony held on the auspicious occasion of 'Mahavir Jayanti' on 31 March 2007, accomplished actor, dancer and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Smt. Hema Malini unveiled a bust of Shri Harakh Chand Nahata at Mahabalipuram Teerth, Village Bhatti, New Delhi.
Indian Postage Stamp
Department of Posts, Govt. of India, released a commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 5 denomination on Shri Harakh Chand Nahata on Saturday, the 28th. February, 2009. The stamp was ceremonially released at a function held at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Mumbai by His Excellency Shri S. C. Jamir, Governor of Maharashtra.
The function was attended by a number of eminent social leaders, industrialists, businessmen, artists, litterateurs, family members and persons from many walks of life including senior and leading members of Khartargachha Mahasangh and Jain International Trade Organisation.
He also managed ‘Technicians Studio’ (formerly known as Kali Studios) at Kolkata and gave shares of the studio to the technicians. Many internationally renowned directors produced films at this studio.
He made significant contributions to many social and religious organisations, including Heart Care Foundation of India, Mimjhar,. Rajasthan Bharti, Prakrit Bharti Academy, Ahimsa International, Rishabhdev Foundation, Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Jain Mahasabha, Delhi, Vishwa Jain Parishad. He strove to further enrich family institutions like the Abhay Jain Granthalaya, Bikaner (Rajasthan) and Jain Bhawan, Palitana (Gujrat).