Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee
Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Porbandar, India |
| Died | July 27, 1956 (aged 62) Bombay, India |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, banker, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Dena Bank; President of Indian Merchants' Chamber; Founder of Indian Banks' Association |
Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee (11 June 1894 – 27 July 1956) was a distinguished Indian entrepreneur, banker, and philanthropist based in Bombay, India.
Birth & family life
He was born on 11 June 1894 in Porbandar as the second son of Seth Devkaran Nanjee. In 1911, he married Jayavati, who played an active role in the family’s commercial ventures. Jayavati held the status of Fellow at the Indian Institute of Bankers, served on its Council, and was a Trustee of the Indian Merchants' Chamber. Her judicial appointments included Justice of Peace and Honorary Presidency Magistrate for Bombay. She was the daughter of Govindji Jhaverchand, who served as Munsiff and Magistrate in Jamnagar State.
Career
Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee established several enterprises in Bombay, including the Devkaran Nanjee Banking Company (which later became Dena Bank), as well as the Devkaran Nanjee Insurance Company and Devkaran Nanjee Investment Company. Motivated by his late father’s aspirations, he collaborated with his elder brother Choonilal Devkaran Nanjee to inaugurate Dena Bank on 26 May 1938. By December 1939, the bank transitioned into a public entity known as Dena Bank (Devkaran Nanjee).
He played a crucial role in founding the Indian Banks' Association in 1946, having initially proposed the concept in 1944 during his tenure as President of the Indian Merchants' Chamber. Alongside prominent figures such as Sir Homi Mody, Pranlal contributed significantly to establishing this essential institution within India’s banking sector.
Pranlal held the presidency of the Indian Merchants' Chamber twice, first from 1944 to 1945 and again between 1952 and 1953, highlighting his prominent position in India’s financial and commercial arenas.
Other faculty
An enthusiastic photographer, he presided over the Photographic Society of India from 1941 to 1942.
He was appointed Rajamantri (minister) of Porbandar State and received the Rajbhooshan honor from Porbandar State. The Princely State of Baroda recognized him with a Silver Medal.
The British Indian Government also designated him as a Justice of the Peace and Honorary Presidency Magistrate for Bombay.
He founded the Swadeshi League Trust to encourage indigenous products through exhibitions supporting the swadeshi movement. Furthermore, he was among the founders of educational institutions under Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Death
Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee passed away in Bombay on 25 July 1956 at the age of 66.
Memorials
In recognition of his contributions, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s College of Communication and Management in Bombay was renamed "Bhavan's Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee College of Mass Communication" in 1977 following a substantial endowment from his philanthropic trust. Additionally, the Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee Award for Excellence in Harmonious Behaviour was instituted to honor his legacy.