Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh
Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1894 Rajkot, Gujarat, India |
| Died | December 14, 1968 (aged 74) Bombay, India |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, businessman |
| Years active | 1912–1968 |
| Known for | Philanthropy, founding role in Lijjat Papad, social reforms, coal business |
Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh, popularly referred to as Chhagan Bapa (27 June 1894 – 14 December 1968), was an Indian philanthropist dedicated to advancing education, combating poverty, and promoting women's social reforms.
Birth
He was born in 1894 in Rajkot, into a Gujarati Vaishnava Lohana household.
In Jharia
At the age of 18, in 1912, Parekh relocated to Jharia with the assistance of Damodar Kunwarji Trivedi, who was associated with the G. K. Dossa & Brothers colliery. Seth Gangji Dossa Jethwa, a Kutchi railway contractor and coal mine proprietor based in Jharia, took him under his wing as a mentor. Beginning his career as a clerk at R. A. Mucadam & Sons' Chanda colliery, he soon advanced to a position at Khas Kusunda colliery, where his monthly wage increased from Rs.30 to Rs.40 under the supervision of manager Kanji Khengar.
By 1914, with encouragement from mentors Seth Gangji and Khimji Dossa, he assumed a supervisory post at their Lower & Upper Jharia Collieries located in Tisra. Demonstrating strong leadership and management capabilities, Parekh earned rapid promotions. Backed by influential personalities such as the Jethwa brothers and Seth Kripashankar Worah, he shifted focus toward coal supply operations. By 1930, he was acting as the selling agent for M/s K. Worah & Co before establishing his own successful coal supply enterprise.
Parekh also participated in the committee for the significant 1921 All India Trade Union Congress conference held in Jharia, representing Gangji Dossa & Sons alongside prominent mine owners including Ramjush Agarwalla and Karamshi Khora.
In Calcutta
Following his retirement from business in 1949, Parekh devoted himself entirely to social service work, inspired by Thakkar Bapa and becoming an active member of the Servants of India Society. He played a key role in relief operations after both the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake and the 1956 Anjar earthquake, and contributed to tribal development initiatives in Himachal Pradesh.
After departing Jharia, he spent nearly ten years residing in Calcutta, where he maintained residences and coal supply offices. During this period, he helped establish the Laxminarayan Temple as well as the Laxminarayan Trust Maternity Home & Hospital situated in Bhowanipore. These projects were largely financed by contributions from the Gujarati community and Kutchi miners originating from Jharia. The hospital premises include the "Harishankar Worah Library Hall," named after its principal benefactor. Additionally, Parekh supported the creation of a Gujarati-language school under the same Trust, which operates within BGES College.
In Bombay
Around 1959, Parekh moved to Bombay where he dedicated himself fully to philanthropic endeavors. He played a foundational role in establishing Lijjat Papad, a distinguished women's cooperative launched that year and headquartered in Mumbai.
In Haridwar
Serving as General Secretary of the Lohana Conference, he encountered Nanji Kalidas Mehta at Haridwar. Their joint efforts with Jamnadas Khimji Kothari and Hansraj Laxmichand Chadaramji culminated in constructing a Gujarati Dharamshala at Haridwar, completed in 1952.
In Kutch
During the aftermath of the 1956 earthquake in Kutch, Parekh took an active leadership role in organizing relief activities, including fundraising and delivering humanitarian support. While working in Anjar, he contributed to founding Anjar General Hospital and the area's first girls' high school, known as K.K.M.S. Girls High School. He secured significant donations from Seth Khatau Mavji Sethia's family along with Smt. Kankuben Khatau Sethia and Maniben Sethia of Calcutta.
Death
He died on 14 December 1968 in Bombay, leaving behind his two sons, Ratilal and Mulchand, along with their families.
Honors and memorials
In 1999, the Government of India released a postage stamp commemorating his contributions. The guest house at the Shri Laxminarayan Temple in Kolkata was dedicated as Chhagan Bapa Athithi Gruh in his honor in 1976. Beginning in 1980, Lijjat has been presenting the Chhaganbapa Smruti Scholarships to daughters of its member-sisters as a tribute to his enduring impact. The Gujarati Dharamshala located in Haridwar, which he played a role in establishing, named one of its buildings Chhagan Bapa Smarak Bhawan to commemorate him. His life story was documented in the biography Punyashlok Chhaganbapa: Godfather of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, published by the Lijjat Papad family in 1980.