The urge of giving

In 1915, when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, he was invited by several states, including Rabindranath Tagore to Shantiniketan; but he chose to stay in Ahmedabad. His crucial decision played a vital role in shaping the social structure of Gujarat and this had stemmed from his faith in prosperous Gujarati business communities.

He believed that the well-to-do Mahajans of Gujarat — known for their deep-rooted philanthropic nature - will support his revolutionary activities for the freedom of the country through selfless donations. And support him did the state’s businessmen. His first abode in Ahmedabad - Kochrab Ashram was donated by barrister Jeevanlal Desai. Over the years, Gandhi was supported by several wealthy businessmen, including the Sarabhais and Lalbhais.

And thus Gujarat became Bapu’s abode, to be revered globally in years to come — thanks to Gujarat’s philanthropic gene. This is only an obvious case in point of how Gujaratis’ ‘donation’ over the years has structured today’s prosperous society. When Kutchi businessman Azim Premji donates $2 billion from his personal wealth, it brings to fore a much venerated and complex gene that motivates people to give away their wealth after spending a lifetime earning it.

In the Medieval era, references of Sheth Shantidas Zaveri can be found during the Mughal period as having donated to temples, schools etc. In the mid-19th century Ranchhodlal Chhotalal emerged as the doyen of the textile industry in Ahmedabad and went on to become the first Indian president of Ahmedabad municipality. Not only was his vision as president much appreciated, but history experts highlight that he supported the city’s development through donations from his personal wealth.

In the late 19th century, Sheth Hutheesing Kesrising started work on the historic Hutheesing Derasar, but the monument was completed after his death by his wife Shethani Harkuwar. She donated for the city’s first girls’ school called ‘Chhoriyo ni Shala’. The Nagarsheth family of Shantidas Zaveri and Shethani Harkuwar were instrumental in the establishment of Civil Hospital with a donation of Rs25,000 and Rs50,000 each in 1855 — considered an astronomical sum during those days.

The CU Shah family of Surendranagar; Sheth Premchand Raichand (Mumbai University tower is named after his mother Rajabai) of Bombay and another family Vadilal Sarabhai of Bombay (VS Hospital as we know today) are amongst the businessmen who have contributed benevolently at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s behest.

In the last century, businessmen Ambalal Sarabhai, Kastrbhai Lalbhai are amongst the more prominent who have donated and contributed greatly to the city’s development in terms of giving land and trusts running schools, colleges, orphanages, hospitals, religious institutions etc.

Vikram Sarabhai, hailed as the father of India’s space odyssey, had established the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); Physical Research Laboratory (PRL). He was also the man behind the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA). Scores of educational institutes in the city, including premier ones like LD College of Engineering, CEPT, HL College of Commerce etc have been established by the Lalbhai family. These families had also lent their support during the freedom movement.

“It must however be noted that these are only some of the people whose donations have come into limelight. There are numerous others who have made silent but significant contributions to the society.

Earning money and giving away has been a way of life for Gujarati businessmen for generations. So Premji’s decision to give away his personal wealth does not come as a surprise. He has only proven that he is a son of the Gujarati soil, so what if the state has not been his karma bhoomi (place of work),” says city-based historian Rizwan Kadri, who has researched extensively on Gujarat’s businessmen.