Shri Ratilal Manilal Nanavati (1897 - 1984)
Industrialist, Philanthropist and Founder Nanavati Hospital, Bombay
Founder of the famous Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital at Vile Parle, Bombay simple, plain speaking with charitable disposition, a dedicated social worker and a distinguished citizen do high integrity, industrialist Shri R.M. Nanavati was born in 1897 in Vaso and received his education in Baroda. At the age of 24 he established his well-known firm "Nanavati & Co. Pvt. Limited." He also set up "Ulhas Oil and Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd. at Bhavnagar and Extraction Industries in Maharasthra and Gujarat. He hailed from a well educated and cultured family of Ahmedabad and had toured a number of foreign countries alongwith his wife, Smt. Sarlaben, a religious minded lady. He was sent to Russia as a one-man delegation to meet Soviet leaders and negotiated purchase of fertilizers on behalf of Government of India.
A staunch vegetarian, Shri Nanavati was deeply interested in Jainism and was responsible for establishing a Chair in Jainism Logic and Philosophy in Poona University.
A philanthropist, Shri Nanavati made substantial contribution for the cause of education, social welfare and medicine. The projects where he made large contributions are Sarla Sarjan, a model institute which offers education from Montessori to Junior College in Arts and Commerce and several hobby course, and Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Bombay, inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951. This 365 bed well-equipped hospital has a Cancer Detection Unit and Tele- Radio- Therapy and Cobalt Unit for treatment of Cancer. He donated over a crore of rupees in cash besides land and property of a similar amount for the hospital.
Shri Nanavati held top positions in several trade, social and religious organisation. He served as President of the Indian Merchants Chamber in 1952 and represented the Chamber on local Advisory Committee of Merchants and Manufactures of Textile Stores and Machinery. He had been Honorary Treasurer of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and President of Bombay Mangrol Jain Sabha.
For many years Ratibhi was President of Shri Vile Parle Swetamber Murtipujak Jain Sangh and Vice-President of All-India Jain Swetamber Conference. He built an artistic temple named Moti Mani Mandir which is styled in the authentic architecture of ancient Jain temples. He rendered outstanding service to the cause of common man and was responsible for opening fair price shop at Vile Parle during 1941-43 food-grain shortage in Bombay and transported wheat, rice, sugar and distributed to the inhabitants of Vile Parle. He founded Shri Vardhaman Cooperative Bank Limited for economic welfare of the community. He was presented a silver casket in appreciation of his services by people of Vile Parle. Ahimsa International honoured him on March 20, 1983 at New Delhi for his dedicated services is medical field.
He was also greatly interested in the field of literature and published valuable books like 'Sabaras' and 'Ganjarav' besides 'Health and Longevity' primarily intended for patients of Nanavati Hospital. The noble soul breathed the last on March 15, 1984 at Bombay having lived a gracious life of over 85 years.
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Source : From 'Progressive Jains' Authored By Mr. Satish Kumar Jain
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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
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