Jamnalalji Bajaj was not only the founding father of the Bajaj group, but he was also humanitarian, freedom fighter, philanthropist, social reformer and a devoted follower of the father of the nation. Looking to these qualities, Mahatma Gandhi adopted Jamnalalji as his fifth
son. He was deeply involved in the Indian freedom struggle and took active part in 18 constructive works propounded by Gandhiji.
Recognizing the integrity of Jamnalalji’s character and he was made first treasurer of Indian National congress. Gandhiji left Sabarmati Ashram and after the historical ‘Dandi Yatra’, at the insistence of Jamnalalji, Gandhiji established Sewagram Ashram at Wardha (Maharashtra) on
the land and entire establishment expenditure donated by Jamnalalji. Gandhiji stayed at Sewagram from 1936 to 1946. During the freedom struggle, all the national leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajednra Prasad etc.
used to stay and were served food of their choice at Bajaj Wadi (house of Jamnalalji) at Wardha.
He was the only person who refused the honorary ‘Magistrate’ and ‘Raibahadur’ honours. He acted on what he narrated. A social reformist, to remove ‘Pardah System’ from the society, first he stopped ‘Pardah system’ in his own family. He opened his family ‘Laxmi-Narayan’ temple for Harijans, this was the first temple opened for Harijans in the country. Jamnalalji also undertook pioneering work in the field of Gau-Sewa (cow protection) upliftment of the downtrodden, education of women, propagation of Hindi, spread of Khadi (hand spun and hand
woven cloth) and the development of Khadi and village industries.
Jaipur Prajamandal movement was founded by Jamnalalji. Ruler of Jaipur state stopped him entering borders of the state but Jamnalalji refused to abide by the order and started Satyagrah against this which led to his arrest and he had to stay in jail for 6 months. The people around
started a non-violent agitation showing their disapproval of the wrong that was done to Jamna lalji and then he was released from jail.
India used to import sugar and to make the country self-reliant, upon Gandhiji’s insistence,Jamnalalji established a sugar factory ‘Hindusthan Sugar Mill’ at Gola-Gokarnanath in U.P. in 1932, now known as Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd., the largest sugar manufacturing company in India.
Shishir Bajaj, grandson, Kushagra and Apoorv, great grandsons are carrying forward the legacy and philanthropy of Jamnalalji. They are committed to strengthen the livelihood and empowering the rural community of Wardha (Maharashtra) and Sikar (Rajasthan) through,Kamalnayan Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation (KJBF) in Wardha and Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj Trust (JKBT) in Sikar.
The river revival work has spread across 91 rivers and streams, covering an expanse of 139 running KM. As a result of river rejuvenation, check dams, percolation tanks, farm ponds, group lift irrigation projects, well recharge and boribunds, river flow is increased from 4 to 10 months,
water table is increased up to 12 feet, cropping intensity has been increased from 1 to 2/3 crops and 73000 acres of agriculture land has been benefited and net income increased from Rs.7500 to Rs. 20500/Acre.
CII in 2010 and FICCI in 2012 awarded National Awards to our foundation for Excellence in Water Management under beyond the fence category. YPO and WPO member companies around the World are engaged in a wide range of outstanding Social Engagement Network
Award activities. Shishir Bajaj has also been awarded the YPO-WPO International Award for Philanthropy & Leadership for the year 2014,
Strengthening the biodiversity, 2.8 lac fruit plants and 13.7 lac forestry plants have been planted on 5545 acres of land under WADI project which directly provides livelihood to the needy families.
As a result of natural farming, cost of cultivation is reduced 50%, health of soil, animals and family members have also improved while 12,000 farmers have initiated Better Cotton Initiative project in 50,700 acres of land which has helped in reducing 15% agri.-input costs and increased
yield by 22 %. Livelihood of 9000 most needy families have been strengthened through promotion of Indigenous Cows programme and need based rural enterprises/income generation activities.
25,000 families have been empowered through formation of 1800 women Self Help Groups.
Simultaneously biogas and various solar appliances under non-conventional energy sources are also being promoted.
