Shri M.S. Baburaoji Parkhe
Malhar Sadashiv alias Baburaoji Parkhe
Baburaoji was born in a
well-to-do family; his father, Sadashivrao Parkhe held positions of
a Diwan or Chief Justice in the Indian Princely States in the
erstwhile Bombay Presidency, during the British Raj. He was also
known to hold the position of Chief Justice in princely state of
Akkalkot. However, Sadashivrao died prematurely, when Baburaoji was
just in his late teens.
After the premature demise of his father, his mother Maisaheb
Parkhe, the traditional house-wife of those days, rose to the
occasion with strong conviction and surprising foresight, to provide
vocational education to her sons and make them self-reliant. She
wanted to fulfill the unfinished desire of her late husband
Sadashivrao.
Maisaheb is said to have achieved this by setting-up a tiny home
industry, in a period when the social system was orthodox towards
women. The inspiration for self-reliance was possibly drawn into the
family from the rising fervour of independence and a call for
“Swadeshi” and self-reliance from the great leaders of that time.
This finds trace in an incident from Mr. Parkhe’s memoirs and a
response from Mahatma Gandhi while he was at the Yeravda Central
Prison in Pune in 1933.
In the year 1935, Baburaoji was married to Kamalabai Parkhe (Kashi
Rajimwale), younger sister of Paramsadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj of
Akkalkot, who is revered worldwide for HIS message of “Agnihotra”
and Pancha Sadhan Marg (Five-Fold Path). They had a happy married
life and togetherness of 60 years.
Shri M.S. Parkhe with wife Kamalabai Parkhe (Kashi
Rajimwale)
Industrial Enterprise & Contribution:
After a brief stint at Deccan Paper Mills in Pune where Baburaoji
gained some initial experience, the seeds of the Parkhe Group were
sown with conviction and a feeling of self-reliance. The “Bharat
Envelopes Co.” (a cottage / home industry) came into existence in
1930, on the auspicious occasion of “Gudi Padwa”, in a small room in
Gadre Wada, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, under the guidance of his mother
Maisaheb and with his younger brother Gopalrao, to his assistance.
At Bharat Envelopes (as the name suggests), they prepared envelopes
and other innovative paper products by hand and sold them in the
local and nearby market. The enterprise grew rapidly, while also
multiplying and at one time became to be known as one of the most
pioneering groups in the field of Paper & Pulp, in India. In 1938,
Baburaoji is said to have made is first overseas trip, he visited
Japan. This trip was primarily focussed on understanding the new
trends in paper conversion and to explore further opportunities. In
the immediate post-war period, he also toured England to understand
and learn the working of medium and large Paper & Board plants.
The first significantly big venture was Paper & Pulp Conversions Pvt
Ltd, a board mill which was started in Lower Parel, Mumbai in the
year 1942. This unit grew over the years and in 1947, during Indian
Independence (post-war period) it became a Public Ltd Company with M
S Parkhe & Co being the Managing Agents, in accordance with the
prevalent Company laws. In the year 1951, Paper & Pulp Conversions
Ltd (PAPCO) started its second unit in Khopoli, Maharashtra which
made Paper and eventually also made Paperboards and was the Flagship
Company of the group. The first Paper machine installed at Khopoli
was procured from Japan. PAPCO had the record of being an
un-interrupted dividend company for over 40 years.
In 1960, a novel idea to have a mother pulp mill (market-grade
pulp/raw-material for paper-making) was conceived by some small &
medium Paper Mills, PAPCO being the chief promoter. Thus The Central
Pulp Mills (CPM) came into being and commenced operations in 1966.
Some technology and machinery was imported from the United States
with a loan from the EXIM bank of Washington while some technology
and process components were designed indigenously with in-house
technical acumen. This project is said to have brought the Parkhe
Group in the centre-stage of Indian Paper-making. Many pioneering
efforts like the PAPCO machinery division, Parkhe Consultants (a
full-service Paper Industry Consultancy), Parkhe Research Institute
(R&D support to Paper & Pulp Industry) followed suit in the
following 3 decades. EUROCOTE, a paper/paperboard coating unit based
in Vapi, Gujarat was integrated into the group in 1976. The total
turnover of the Parkhe Group reached over 100 crore rupees in mid
1980’s, just 50 years from the small and humble beginning in 1930’s.
On 12th March 1987, Baburaoji was felicitated along-with other
dignitaries at the hands of Hon. President of India, Gaini Zail
Singh for his contribution to Industry & Industrial development of
Maharashtra and the country. The occasion was the Silver Jubilee
celebrations of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries &
Agriculture (MCCIA).
However, there was a sudden turn of events in the otherwise fairy
tale. The Parkhe Group is said to have suffered major losses towards
the end of decade of 1980’s. The changing situation in wake of some
Government policy decisions (Rupee devaluation, Import duty
reduction on Pulp, free imports) and continued labour problems were
some of the major factors attributable to these losses. All this
ultimately resulted into financial crunch which engulfed the entire
group. It is a known fact that this was the sad state of many
Industries in Maharashtra, during that time, a classical example
often cited in such similar cases is the textile mill closure and
crises of Mumbai. Today, though some of the old ventures of the
Parkhe Group like PAPCO and others could not be revived from the
crises, the largest unit the Central Pulp Mills (CPM) was
transferred to delhi based JK Singhania group in 1992. This unit has
grown phenomenally over the years. The seeds sown by Baburaoji and
his planning, efforts have blossomed into a big tree. His astute
business acumen in selecting the project site and setting-up the
Unit are often said to be remembered and greatly acknowledged by its
new owners.
Involvement in Industry Associations & Bodies:
Baburaoji held several positions in active & professional, honorary
as well as advisory capacity, with different institutions. Some of
his prominent engagements are listed below:
- Chairman of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Agriculture
(MCCIA), Pune
- Chairman of Development Council for Pulp & Paper Industry in India
- Associated with Khadi & Village Industries Commission
- Advisor to Minimum Wage Committee (Paper Industry), Maharashtra
- Nominee-Director at Ashok Paper Mills, Assam
- Director and Vice Chairman of Bank of Maharashtra, Pune
- Director of United Western Bank, Satara
Social institutions
Baburaoji's memoirs and writings talk about the spirit of "Social
Indebtedness", with this belief the group established Social and
Charitable trusts. The trusts focus and work towards assisting the
backward, downtrodden poor and needy people in society.
The Matoshri Maisaheb Parkhe Memorial Trust, Pune (1976) was founded
in the memory of his mother, Late Matoshri Maisaheb Parkhe.
The Three Angel's Memorial Trust, Pune (1973) was founded in the
memory of Sudhakar Parkhe, Nagesh Deshpande and Atmaram Kavthekar
the three pillars of the Parkhe Group who faced untimely death in a
road accident. This was seen as a big jolt to the then flourishing
business empire.
Some of the primary objectives being,
- Medical help to poor & needy, visually and physically challenged
people.
- Aid to students in village schools to encourage rural and higher
education.
- Support in providing drinking water in down trodden and drought
prone areas. Provide aid during natural calamities.
- Aid to poor farmers for rural dairy farming, thereby encouraging
rural self-employment and sustainability.
- Aid to Vedic Schools or Ved Patshala’s under “Baburaoji Parkhe Ved
Shrout Puraskar”, to encourage Vedic Schooling tradition and
Sanskrit language.
- Work in conjunction with other like-minded institutions and NGO’s
to promote and participate in different social welfare programmes.
Over the past 35 years the trusts have engaged in various different
programs with a sense of social responsibility and proactiveness.
Awards & Encouragement schemes
G S Parkhe Industrial Merit Awards (Instituted in 1947)
"Recognise efforts and provide encouragement to budding
Entrepreneurs”, this thought seems to have encouraged Baburaoji when
he proposed to institute the G S Parkhe Industrial Merit Awards
scheme. The awards are given in the memory of his younger
entrepreneur brother Gopalrao who actively assisted him in business
activities in the formative years. Gopalrao was known to possess
good entrepreneurial skills and indigenously develop products. The
untimely death of Gopalrao after a brief illness (typhoid) when he
was aged 23 years, was a partial setback.
To commemorate Gopalrao’s entrepreneurial skills, Baburaoji
instituted the G S Parkhe Industrial Merit awards scheme in
conjunction with the MCCIA. Baburaoji’s close friend and MCCIA
founder Mr. A R Bhat is said to have helped him in conceiving his
idea. For the last almost 6 decades, G S Parkhe Industrial Merit
Awards are being religiously distributed every year. It is said that
this Award scheme has been a pioneering effort in the country; it
has earned considerable recognition and has become an institution in
itself, setting a basis for various other awards.
The award is given for innovative products and services. Product
excellence, commercial success and import substitution are the key
parameters used for evaluation and selection. The MCCIA – Mahratta
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, an apex and proactive
Industrial association in the country.
Background: When the head of the family, who had occupied the
highest position like the Diwan or the Chief Justice in the then
Indian Princely states died prematurely, the traditionally trained
housewife rose to the occasion and shouldered the onerous
responsibility of bringing up her children in a novel way and thus
fulfil the unfinished desire of her husband of imparting vocational
guidance and support for career development. This she did by
starting a home industry and gradually handed the responsibility to
her teenager sons who were still students. This is the story of
Matoshri Maisaheb Parkhe who was known to be a woman of surprising
foresight and conviction for her times. This story has inspired many
a Women Entrepreneurs.
Adarsha Mata Puraskar (Since 1976) "Adarsha" means Ideal and "Mata"
means Mother in Marathi. This Puraskar is an attempt to commemorate
Maisaheb Parkhe’s contribution & guiding force and salute her
enterprising spirit. The scheme aims to recognize the conviction of
similar women who have strived hard under adverse conditions to
shoulder the responsibility of their family. It is instilled with a
feeling of indebtedness and to express gratitude for their enormous
sacrifice to make their children happy & successful in life and
ultimately good, responsible citizens of the society. The
felicitation is said to include a certificate of honour, a memento
and a cash portion. The life sketch of the Awardee Mother is
presented to the audience and willing family members also speak at
the occasion.
Association with Education Field:
Baburaoji was closely associated with many institutions; some of the
prominent ones are listed below:
- Chairman of Maharashtra Education Society, Pune
- Chairman of Maharashtra Technical Education Society’s
Walchand College of Engineering & Technology, Sangli
Dhondumama Sathe Homeopathic College, Pune (Active role since
inception)
- Land donations, monetary aid for setting-up schools in Khopoli,
Akkalkot - Maharashtra, Fort Songadh, Gujarat.
Propagation of “Agnihotra” & Vedic Culture:
“Agnihotra” is an ancient Vedic fire ritual which has been
resuscitated by Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj of Akkalkot and
prescribed for the well-being of entire humankind and nature. Today
Agnihotra is practiced in many countries worldwide.
Baburaoji was an ardent follower of Shree and with HIS will and
grace he has written books, delivered lectures and travelled across
India & world-over for propagation of “Agnihotra” and research on
remnants of ancient Fire Worship in different civilisations.
He was very closely associated with the trusts and initiatives in
Akkalkot and Shivpuri Ashram. At the instructions of Shree he is
known to have built Lord Parshuram and Agni Mandir’s in his
industrial complexes in Khopoli and Songadh.
He presided the Mahasomayag Committee and made a pivotal
contribution during the “Ekamevadvitiya Mahasomayag” of Shivpuri,
Akkalkot in 1969. This was a big and landmark event in history, 2500
years, a Mahasomayag was conducted exactly as prescribed by the
Vedas, without any animal sacrifice, (not even symbolic oblations)
in a totally non-violent and pious manner. 14 15
Books and writings
Literary Contribution:
M S Parkhe was known to be an avid reader, writer and orator. He has
written several books and papers on diverse subjects including
Industry, Social and Religious issues, Vedic Literature etc. In
addition to this, some hand-written is reported to be unpublished.
Listed below are some of his writings
- Ramayashogatha (Marathi, Hindi – Translated) – Epic-Book on the
life of Vishnu Avatar, Lord Parashuram. 21 years of research was
undertaken to complete this book[6]
- Kahani Eka Udyojakachi – Utkarshachi and Upakarshachi –
Autobiography (Marathi)
- Rajrajeshwar Parshuram (Marathi) – Book on Vishnu Avatar, Lord
Parashuram.
- Universal Faith (English) - Importance of Fire Worship in all the
world religions and civilisations. Popularly acclaimed in Western
countries.
- Agnihotra: The Vedic Solution for Present-Day Problems (English).
Popularly acclaimed in Western countries as a resource on Agnihotra.
- Agniupasana (Marathi)
- Jeevanachi Vatchal (Marathi) - His Biographical Sketch, more from
the Spiritual dimension.
- Kahani Eka Udyojakachi, Utkarshachi aani Upakarshachi (Marathi) –
Biographical Sketch.
- Some 20 small booklets on diverse subjects or excerpts from his
speeches are also known to be in private circulation.
In the year 2005, Baburaoji’s personal library of over 5000 books
was donated to Shivpuri Ashram in Akkalkot in accordance with his
desire. It is used for research purposes by the ashram and
“Agnihotra” followers world-wide.
Baburaoji was said to be associated with several other institutions
and initiatives including Sant. Dynaneshwar Sapta Janma Shatabdi
celebrations (Pune), Ved Shastrotejjak Sabha, Pune, Vedic Sanshodhan
Sanstha, Pune
- Deshasth Brahmin Sanstha, Pune
- Bhandarkar Oriental Institute, Pune
- Ozhar Vighneshwar Mandir Trust
- Singnapur Mandir Jirnodhar Samiti
- Parshuram Mandir, Salher
- Pune Panjarpol Trust
Contributions & Philanthropy:
Baburaoji, preferred to be a silent force and contributor, he did
not like his name to reflect or be publicised, in case he helped,
supported or was involved in any cause. He has helped many
individuals and causes, directly or indirectly, monetary or in-kind,
by providing some with employment, recommendations or endorsement to
efforts. He has inspired and encouraged many a people by his
industrious and enthusiastic attitude. Society has seen him from
different dimensions and he will be remembered by different people
from the perspective they came in (his) contact or saw him.
The over-whelming response and communication we received upon his
demise and which we still get on a routine basis, stands a true
testament to it and it further inspires us to work relentlessly,
based on his work ethos and social principles.
15th April 1912 – 13th January 1997