After painstaking research for almost a decade, brothers Gaur Hari and Govind Hari Singhania have chronicled their father Padampat Singhanias life and work, and how he turned the 125-year-old Kanpur-headquartered J K Organisation into a big industrial group with interests across sectors. Padampat took over the reins of the company at 32 and gradually expanded the footprint across the country. He was the youngest ever president of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the age of 31. He was also close to a whos who, including Jawharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. The book titled Sir Padampat SinghaniaMan of All Seasons gives an insight into the growth of the JK Group as well as those turbulent times before and after Independence. In an interview with FE’s Saikat Neogi and Rajiv Tikoo, Govind Hari Singhania not only comments on the contents of the book but also on what was left out. Excerpts:
The timing of the book is interesting. When the first Left-led government took over in West Bengal, the JK Group was forced to move out. Now that the Left is out, how do you feel looking back?
In 1969, it was the first Left-led government in West Bengal. There was a gherao everyday. My father used to tell his brother (Lakshmipat), who was running the groups business in the eastern zone, to move out from Calcutta. He used to say, These communists will not allow you to work. Their mentality is like this (to disturb). It was difficult to work there. Even Jyoti Basu came to our factory and provoked his people. We have seen what happened in Bengal ultimately, even till this date.
So, you must be happy with the change of the government in West Bengal?
We are keeping our fingers crossed. We dont know. Even the Tatas had to move out very recently.
What prompted you to write the book?
I have been trying to write this book for many years. I thought the achievements of such a big personality (Padampat Singhania) should be highlighted. He did so much in his lifetime. He was 31 when he became the FICCI president. He was knighted at a young age. He achieved success because of his hard work. His always used to say: Never do anything bad.
You have glossed over some big issues. For example, like most of his business peers, he was in favour of a state role in protecting domestic industry from foreign competition?
Foreign competition was kept out because of the government policy. I dont think we had much role there. I believe it was primarily done because there was a big foreign exchange shortage. Besides, the government always wanted Indias industry to grow.
You have given a glimpse of the events following the Congress partys loss to the Left in West Bengal and the resistance Indira Gandhi faced from the old guard when she wanted to introduce reforms. But what is your recollection of the mood behind the parleys when your father tried to bridge the gap between the two factions?
I must say with all sincerity that father worked very hard. When he got the message from the prime ministers house that Indira Gandhi had called him, he telephoned me immediately. I said let me reconfirm if its a genuine call or a hoax. We had a small office in Delhi and one representative Mr Seth, who was very resourceful. He reconfirmed within 10 minutes that the message had indeed come from the prime minister. For three to four days he kept on shuttling between Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai, SK Patil, CB Gupta and Jagjivan Ram to impress upon them the need to introduce economic and industrial changes. He knew all of them. She knew that. That is why she called him. Indira Gandhi told him that though she was the prime minister, yet these old men would never inform her about anything and make announcements, which she would come to know only from the press. She wanted to be consulted before policy announcements were made. But Morarji said, Why should I explain to her. What does she understand We have made her the prime minister. Its a little wonder that the Congress broke up eventually. Father tried his best.
What was his understanding about the reasons that led to the nationalisation of textile mills?
He advised Indira Gandhi against it, but she ignored it. She said, I am doing it to save you people. You have seen how communists have captured West Bengal, which was the seat of the Congress. She was very shaky and worried that this should not spread throughout the country. This was her explanation. Therefore, I am taking such steps so that people should continue to vote Congress to power. So, I have to lean towards the Left.
He was a member of the Constituent Assembly and a signatory to the Constitution. Why didnt he join active politics?
He used to say politics was not his forte. He believed that it was better to support people who were there and make them your own, and tell them them what should be done.
Sir Padampat Singhania: Man of All Seasons
Dr Gaur Hari Singhania and Govind Hari Singhania
Niyogi Books
Rs 2995
Pp 184
Source: The Financial Express
Published on 5 June 2011