Despite having a thriving family business, some people are never afraid to take up new challenges. India has seen several such people who left their family business to choose a different path. One such person was Walchand Hirachand Doshi, an Indian genius and industrialist, who established India's first car factory. He is called the 'Father of transportation in India'. Not just that, Hirachand also established the first modern shipyard and first aircraft factory in India. He was the founder of Walchand Group.
Born in 1882 in Sholapur (Maharashtra) in a well-known family, Hirachand was initially engaged in cotton trading and money lending. He matriculated in 1899 from Solapur Government High School. He later earned a BA degree from the University of Mumbai. After his graduation, he joined his family business. After working in the family business for a few years, he realised he was not interested in the family business. So, Hirachand decided to quit and became a railway contractor for construction-related work in partnership with a former railway clerk.
He was noted for his ambition and vision. He became one of the most influential and successful industrialists of his time. He also played a major role in establishing several other industrial projects, such as sugar and textile factories, power plants, and chemical plants. He established Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL), India’s first aircraft manufacturing company.
By 1947, the Walchand group of companies was one of the 10 largest business houses in the country. He suffered a stroke in 1949. He retired from business in 1950 and was looked after by his wife Kasturbai in his last years. He died on 8 April 1953 at Siddhpur, Gujarat.
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