Danvir Meghjibhai Pethraj

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Danvir Meghjibhai Pethraj" by Atmanandji, based on the provided pages:

The book "Danvir Meghjibhai Pethraj" chronicles the life of Meghjibhai Pethraj, a prominent Jain philanthropist and businessman. The narrative begins by highlighting his childhood, marked by an early incident of courage and learning. At the age of six, while flying a kite, he fell from a height, a potentially fatal accident. However, he survived and learned a crucial life lesson: to be grounded and realistic in his aspirations.

Born on September 15, 1904, in the village of Dabasan, about eighteen miles from Jamnagar, Meghjibhai was the son of Pethrajbhai, a Jain Oshwal, and Ranibai. His father, though of ordinary means, was well-respected, generous, and deeply religious. Meghjibhai received his early education in a village school, where his sharp intellect was evident. At the young age of eleven, he became a teacher in the same school, earning eight rupees a month, a position highly esteemed at the time.

However, Meghjibhai's ambition was not confined to being a village teacher. He dreamt of experiencing the world beyond his village, earning significant wealth, and uplifting his family, community, and homeland. Driven by this desire, he decided to travel to Africa. His parents, with heavy hearts, agreed, but insisted he marry first. He married Monghibai at the age of fourteen. His parents gathered the funds for his ticket, and he resigned from his teaching position.

At fifteen, Meghjibhai arrived in Mumbai to embark on his journey to Africa. Unfamiliar with the complexities of the world, he faced his first major setback at the port. His trunk, containing his passport, money, and clothes, was stolen while he was inquiring about the steamer. This loss caused immense distress, as the steamer was about to depart, and he had no means to proceed. This incident, while disheartening, taught him the critical importance of constant vigilance in life.

Despite this setback, Meghjibhai was determined to pursue his dream. He returned home, explained the situation to his parents, and insisted on going to Africa. His mother, Rani Bai, mortgaged her jewelry to arrange for his ticket. Finally, on July 18, 1919, Meghjibhai set foot on the soil of Mombasa, Africa.

In Mombasa, he joined a well-known firm as an accountant. Though new to the business world and unfamiliar with accounting, he was resolute in his goal to earn both a name and wealth. He diligently learned accounting from a friend, dedicating his evenings to study after long working hours. He understood that discipline and hard work were essential for success and that wealth earned without effort was easily lost. His dedication, meticulousness, and honesty were recognized, and within two years, his salary was increased significantly from ₹250 to ₹1500 annually, surprising everyone.

At the age of eighteen, Meghjibhai felt the urge to start his own business rather than continue in service. Despite the comfort and security of his job, he took a leap of faith, relying on his brothers, family support, and his own perseverance. Along with his brothers, they started "Raychand Brothers," dealing in wholesale and retail goods. They also manufactured and sold Vaseline and hair oil in villages. Their honest hard work led to rapid growth, with the opening of shops in Nairobi and later in Molo. By the end of 1930, they established a factory called 'Aluminum and Industrial Workers Limited.' They later ventured into extracting tannin from wattle tree bark.

Within 31 years, by 1953, Meghjibhai had established around 55 limited companies across East Africa and India. Despite immense wealth, he remained humble and simple in his dress and demeanor, earning respect and loyalty from his colleagues and employees.

In 1944, a turbulent airplane journey led him to contemplate the proper utilization of his vast wealth. He decided to dedicate his life to public welfare and began to transition towards a life of philanthropy. He handed over the management of his African businesses to an experienced Englishman, Mr. Gray, and his Mumbai office responsibilities to Mr. C. U. Shah, who also managed his extensive charitable activities in India.

Meghjibhai firmly believed that wealth accumulated without use loses its value and diminishes one's merit. He also felt that active participation in service, not just giving donations, was crucial for earning merit. Embracing this philosophy, he shifted his focus from business to charitable endeavors.

His organized approach to public service began in 1936 with the establishment of a committee in Africa to provide aid during a famine in Saurashtra, with Meghjibhai as its chairman. While a Jain by faith, he held a non-sectarian outlook and wished for unity among Jain communities, though this aspiration remained unfulfilled. He contributed significantly to building hostels for the Oshwal community in Jamnagar and a girls' school in Nairobi. He believed that Jainism's principles of non-violence and non-possession were vital for modern human life and that Jainism held the potential to become a world religion.

His major philanthropic activities commenced after his retirement from business in 1944, though he had made donations prior to this. Meghjibhai believed in making substantial donations for well-planned initiatives rather than scattering small amounts. He was not motivated by fame or recognition. He never made donations in a way that would cause the recipient to feel belittled. His generosity was directed towards supporting education and medical relief in the communities he lived in and from which he originated. After India's independence in 1947, he was particularly keen on developing Saurashtra. He preferred initiating projects and then handing them over to the government for management, often making significant contributions to schemes that received public and government support. His decisions on large donations were swift yet carefully considered.

He frequently visited his homeland. He had a good relationship with the then Chief Minister of Saurashtra, Dhebarbhai, to whom he pledged ₹60 lakh for the establishment of a medical college in Jamnagar after just an hour's discussion. In 1954, newspapers often reported the inauguration of new institutions in Saurashtra funded by his donations.

Meghjibhai generously donated to numerous causes across Saurashtra, including primary schools, technical schools and hostels for backward class students, maternity homes, hospitals, town halls, child welfare centers, leprosy hospitals, libraries, nursing training colleges, orphanages, sanatoriums, schools for the blind, retirement homes, temples, community kitchens, art and science colleges, law and commerce colleges, technical colleges, and TB hospitals. His total donations in Saurashtra and Gujarat exceeded one crore rupees, and his contributions in India and Africa amounted to over one and a half crore rupees, not including the regular income from trusts established for these causes. He offered to donate £110,000 for a medical college in Vallabh Vidyanagar, though logistical challenges prevented its acceptance.

He had a remarkable ability to plan projects within his means, whether in business or philanthropy. He also established primary schools and libraries in Africa, providing financial aid for fees and books to many children, extending his generosity to the local population. During the Bengal famine of 1943, he made a significant personal contribution to the funds collected by Indians in Africa. He was also a major supporter of the Gandhi Memorial Academy Society in Kenya. Hardly any public school or hospital in Kenya lacked his contribution, and he sponsored the overseas education of students with scholarships worth about four lakh shillings.

Meghjibhai articulated his philanthropic philosophy: "I come from a village. Years ago, I went abroad for a livelihood and, by God's grace, prospered in business. I believe my earnings are not solely mine but also belong to my countrymen and the people of the countries where I primarily conducted my economic activities. By assisting public causes to the best of my ability, I am merely repaying their share. I am not doing anyone a favor but fulfilling my duty." He embodied Mahatma Gandhi's concept of trusteeship with humility and generosity.

His personal life was also enriched by his family. His father's hospitality and his first wife Monghibai's service-oriented nature were influential. After Monghibai's passing in 1930, he married Maniben in late 1932. Maniben was a supportive partner who actively participated in his endeavors. They had six children. Despite his business success, he prioritized his family, ensuring his children received quality education and character development. He believed in educating his daughters equally to his sons and arranged their marriages appropriately. Upon returning home, his focus was primarily on his family.

He believed in improving the lives of the less fortunate not just by providing employment but also by fostering education and better living standards, recognizing that uneducated individuals might squander opportunities. After retiring, he spent most of his last four years in India, also serving as a member of the legislative assembly. For him, retirement meant actively working for the welfare of many, not idleness. He meticulously managed his charitable trusts, demonstrating exceptional dedication and punctuality. He valued simplicity over status, even using the underground train in London to commute to his office despite owning a car.

Meghjibhai possessed a subtle sense of humor that lightened the atmosphere. He was fortunate to have talented colleagues like Mr. Gohel and Mr. C. U. Shah. In his later years, sensing the passage of time, he often spoke about his health after the age of sixty. On July 30, 1964, he passed away peacefully after a sudden heart attack. His wife, Maniben, continued his philanthropic work and chose not to erect any monument, believing his ongoing charitable activities were his true memorials. The Meghjibhai Foundation announced a donation of £100,000 to the Kenyan government to expand medical and educational centers. The book concludes by emphasizing that great men are immortalized by their deeds, and Meghjibhai was a remarkable philanthropist, entrepreneur, and self-reliant individual.