Udyog Maharshi Dadasaheb Dandekar's birth anniversary

 

 

* Born on Monday 16.3.1885 at Nashik.

* Obtained engineering diploma from Sayajirao Gaikwad Kala Bhavan in Baroda in 1904.

* Worked at Parol, Khandwa from 1904 to 1912.

* Started own workshop in Mumbai in 1912.

* India’s first Swadeshi Rice mill was created in 1914.

* He came to Bhiwandi in 1917.

* Initially, the factory located at Jalmandir in the village was shifted outside the village due to the lack of space. All the land in the village was donated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the school.

* The private factory was converted into GG Dandekar Machine Works in 1939.

* Citizens of Bhiwandi celebrated Dadasaheb's 61st birthday in 1945.

* Dadasaheb Dandekar visited Britain.

 

 

When Dadasaheb went to England in 1948, he saw a closed electric iron furnace. The old owner wanted to sell this furnace for scrap. Following that man, Dadasaheb bought the furnace in scrap. The original owner said that this furnace will not work, why do you take this scrap so far, then you will blame me. He told Dadasaheb 3 times (You will repent, you will repent) with displeasure and sold that scrap to Dadasaheb. I will test my luck, so Dada brought that scrap to Bhiwandi. By reading many books, old workers and Talking to Dr. Vaze's brother-in-law Shri.Kelkar (who was well versed in this). Saying India can do it, the furnace was turned on again with tireless efforts. The workers got bread, ordinary people appreciated it, and the engineers were also surprised. The original owner was stunned when he realized that this furnace had been started. Dada started the only steel foundry of its kind in India. This foundry continued till it was sold.

 

 

* He was the first one to start C.I.Foundrya, Steel Foundry, Machine Shop, Tool Room, Carpentry, Paint Booth, and other departments under one roof.

* Dadasaheb passed away on 13.10.1960

*Even today, his tomb is located outside the village in the vicinity of the Maruti temple built by him.

A factory set up with a very small capital on the merits of skill, integrity, and unremitting diligence gained public confidence in indigenous machinery and brought Indian rice mills abroad, and carved Bhiwandi on the world map.

Dadasaheb lived his life for the country and the family but with a very disciplined attitude. He became Udyog Maharshi of the industry but on his own merits and not by getting a degree from anyone. Dada gave bread to the workers and supported the needy.

We salute such a great industrialist.