Baburaoji Parkhe

Malhar Sadashiv "Baburaoji" Parkhe
M S Parkhe 1912–1997
Born	15 April 1912 Akkalkot, India
Died	13 January 1997 Pune, India
Occupation	Founder, Parkhe Group
Spouse	Kamalabai Parkhe
Children	Sudhakar Parkhe Kunda Deshpande Prakash Parkhe Arun Parkhe
Website
http://www.parkhepariwar.com

Malhar Sadashiv (M S) "Baburaoji" Parkhe (Marathi: मल्हार सदाशिव (म.स) तथा बाबुरावजी पारखे; 15 April 1912 – 13 January 1997), was an Indian industrialist from a Maharashtrian Deshastha Brahmin family. Parkhe was known to have a good study of Vedic literature. He was known to be a strong follower of Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj of Shivpuri, Akkalkot and believer in his teachings of Agnihotra. He was involved in the worldwide propagation of the Agnihotra way of life. Parkhe delivered lectures and wrote several books on the subject.^[1][2]

Family & Education

Parkhe's father, Sadashivrao Parkhe, held the position of Chief Justice in the Indian Princely States during the British Raj. He died when Parkhe was a teenager.

Parkhe attended Sir Parshurambhau College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1935, Parkhe was married to Kamalabai Parkhe (Kashi Rajimwale).

Industrialist

After a brief stint at Deccan Paper Mills in Pune, where Parkhe gained some initial experience, the seeds of the Parkhe Group were sown. The Bharat Envelopes Company, a cottage industry, came into existence in 1930 on the occasion of Gudi Padwa in a small room in Gadre Wada, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, under the guidance of his mother Maisaheb and with the assistance of his younger brother Gopalrao.^[3] Bharat Envelopes prepared envelopes and other paper products by hand and sold them in nearby markets. The enterprise grew rapidly, becoming known as one of the most pioneering groups in India in the field of paper and pulp.^{[4][5][verification needed]} In 1938, Parkhe made his first overseas trip, visiting Japan. This trip primarily focused on understanding new trends in paper conversion and exploring further opportunities. After World War II, he also toured England to understand and learn the working of medium and large paper-and-board plants.

Parkhe's first large venture was Paper & Pulp Conversions Pvt Ltd (PAPCO), a board mill started in Lower Parel, Mumbai in 1942. By 1947, it became a public limited company with M S Parkhe & Co as the managing agents, in accordance with the prevalent company laws. In 1951, PAPCO started its second unit in Khopoli, Maharashtra, which made paper, and, eventually paperboards; it was the flagship company of the group. The first paper manufacturing machine installed at Khopoli was procured from Japan. PAPCO issued dividends without interruption for over 40 years.

In 1960, PAPCO was the chief promoter of a novel idea conceived by some small and medium paper mills: a "mother pulp mill" manufacturing market-grade pulp, the raw material for paper-making. The Central Pulp Mills (CPM) commenced operations in 1966.^{[6][not in citation given][7][8]} Some technology and machinery was imported from the United States with a loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, while some technology and process components were designed indigenously with in-house technical acumen. This project is said^{[by whom?]} to have brought the Parkhe Group to the centre-stage of Indian Paper-making. Many pioneering efforts like the PAPCO machinery division, Parkhe Consultants (a full-service paper industry consultancy),^[9] and Parkhe Research Institute (provided research and development support to the paper and pulp Industry)^[10][11] followed suit in the following three decades. EUROCOTE, a paper and paperboard coating unit based in Vapi, Gujarat was integrated into the group in 1976. The total turnover of the Parkhe Group reached over 1,000,000,000 Indian rupees in the mid-1980s.^[12]

Felicitation by the President of India, Gaini Zail Singh, 12 March 1987.

On 12 March 1987, at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Parkhe was felicitated along with other dignitaries by Indian President Gaini Zail Singh for his contribution to industry, and the industrial development of Maharashtra and the country.^{[13][not specific enough to verify]}

The Parkhe Group is said^{[by whom?]} to have suffered major losses towards the end of the 1980s.^{[citation needed]} The changing situation in the wake of government policy decisions such as Rupee devaluation, import duty reductions on pulp, and free imports, and continued labour problems were some of the major factors contributing to these losses.^{[citation needed]} This ultimately resulted in a financial crunch which engulfed the entire group. This was the state of many industries in Maharashtra during that time,^[14] such as similar cases in the textile mills closure crisis if Mumbai.^[15] Although some of the old ventures of the Parkhe Group, like PAPCO, could not be revived from the crises, the largest unit—Central Pulp Mills—was transferred to Delhi-based JK Singhania Group in 1992.^[7]

Social institutions

Parkhe's memoirs and writings talk about the spirit of "Social Indebtedness"; with this belief, the Parkhe Group established social and charitable trusts.^{[citation needed]} The trusts focus on assisting 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.^{[citation needed]}

The Three Angels 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 died in a road accident. Their deaths were jolting to the then-flourishing business empire.^{[citation needed]}

Over the past 35 years, the trusts have engaged in various different programs with a sense of social responsibility.^[16][17]

Awards, social recognition and encouragement schemes

G S Parkhe Industrial Merit Awards

Parkhe instituted the G S Parkhe Industrial Merit Award in 1947 at the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).^[18] The awards are given in the memory of his younger brother, entrepreneur Gopalrao Parkhe, who actively assisted him in business activities during the formative years. The death of Gopalrao after a brief illness (typhoid) when he was aged 23 years, was a partial setback.^{[citation needed]}

To commemorate Gopalrao’s entrepreneurial skills, Parkhe instituted the G S Parkhe Industrial Merit award. Parkhe’s close friend and MCCIA founder Mr. A R Bhat is said^{[by whom?]} to have helped him in conceiving his idea. The award has been presented every year since its inception; it is currently distributed on June 16.^[18]

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. More than 400 entrepreneurs have received the award since its inception in 1947.^[18]

Adarsha Mata Puraskar

When Parkhe's father died, his mother, Matoshri Maisaheb Parkhe, took on the responsibility for bringing up her children, including those roles typically handled by the father in the Indian Princely States, such as vocational guidance and career development. She did this by starting a home industry, and gradually handed the responsibility to her teenage sons, who were still students.

Adarsha means "ideal" and mata means "mother" in Marathi. The Adarsha Mata Puraskar commemorates Maisaheb Parkhe’s contribution and guiding force, and salutes her enterprising spirit.

The award aims to recognize the conviction of similar women who have strived hard under adverse conditions to shoulder the responsibility of their family. The award includes a certificate of honour, a memento, and a cash award. The life sketch of the awardee is presented to the audience, and willing family members also speak at the occasion.

Propagation of Agnihotra and Vedic culture

Agnihotra is an ancient Vedic fire ritual that was 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.

Parkhe was an ardent follower of Shree, and has written books and papers,^[19] delivered lectures, and traveled worldwide propagating Agnihotra and research on remnants of ancient fire worship in different civilisations.

He was known to be^{[by whom?]} very closely associated with the trusts and initiatives in Akkalkot and Shivpuri Ashram. At Shree's instruction, he 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 considered to be a landmark event: after many 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.^[20][21]

Books and writings

Parkhe was an avid reader, writer, and orator. He wrote several books and papers on diverse subjects including industry,^[22] social and religious issues, Vedic literature, etc.

Listed below are some of his writings:

• Ramayashogatha Marathi/Hindi 'रामयशोगाथा' (Marathi – 1975), (Hindi: Translated – 2005) – Epic-Book on the life of Vishnu Avatar, Lord Parashuram. 21 years of research was undertaken to complete this book ^[23][24]
• Rajrajeshwar Parshuram (Marathi) – Book on Vishnu Avatar, Lord Parashuram.
• The Universal Faith (English) – Importance of Fire Worship in all the world religions and civilisations. Popularly acclaimed in Western countries.^[25]
• Agnihotra: The Vedic Solution for Present-Day Problems (English).^[26] 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.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, his personal library was donated to Shivpuri Ashram in Akkalkot in accordance with his desire. It is used for research purposes by the ashram and Agnihotra followers worldwide.^{[27][Full citation needed]}

See also

• List of prominent Deshastha Brahmins
• Parashurama
• Agnihotra

References

1. ^ India Who's Who (New Delhi: INFA Publications). 1969. ISSN 0073-6244. 
2. ^ Maṇḍala, Vaidika Saṃśodhana. Dharmadhikari., T. N.. ed. Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts. Poona: Vaidika Saṃśodhana Maṇḍala. 
3. ^ Patvardhan, V. S. (2005). Growth Of Indigenous Entrepreneurship Part 2 Enteprises Of Dahanukar, Apte, Dandekar, Sathe, Parkhe. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 81-7154-701-X. 
4. ^ Shejwalkar, Dr. P C (6 June 2008). "समृद्धीचा शाप" (in Marathi). Maharashtra Times. http://origin.maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3104208.cms. 
5. ^ "k@uyMv yoMn [Calibration King Bhimashankar Kathare]". Loksatta. 12 April 2004. http://www.loksatta.com/daily/20040415/nav05.htm.  (Not in English; language unidentified.)
6. ^ "ICICI Direct – Pick of the Week: JK Paper Ltd". Company background. http://content.icicidirect.com/PickofWeek.asp?id=210. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  (Successor company to CPM)
7. ^ ^{a b} "NDTV Portal Company History JK Paper Ltd (CPM)". http://www.ndtv.cmlinks.com/CorporateInfo/CompSearch.aspx?id=2&sccode=532162. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ Jain, Abhishek. J K Papers Limited—BUY—52—INR (pdf). Stocksidea Equity Research. http://www.valuenotes.com/ajain/ajain_jkpaper_31may06.pdf?ArtCd=81428&Cat=I&Id=27. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 
9. ^ Suresh K Sharma, Usha Sharma. Documents on North-East India: An Exhaustive Survey. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ARMqHVWHFeAC&pg=PA374&lpg=PA374&dq=%22Parkhe+Consultants%22&source=bl&ots=PYwL96ymYI&sig=d3WrOX52xjSXkkiyvw9oFgjXsFc&hl=mr&ei=d0grStvBHpiGkQXNgIH7Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4. 
10. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
11. ^ Kulkarni, A.Y.; Parkhe, P.M. (1990). "Appropriate technologies for pulping and paper making of unconventional raw materials in India". 1. Tappi Pulping Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. TAPPI. pp. 313–320. ISSN 0275-0899. http://www.tappi.org/Bookstore/Technical-Papers/Conference-Papers/1990/PULP90/Appropriate-Technologies-for-Pulping-and-Paper-Making-of-Unconventional-Raw-Materials-in-India-1990.aspx. Retrieved 13 September 2010. 
12. ^ Parkhe Group Companies – Balance Sheets Year 1984^{[Full citation needed]}
13. ^ News Courtesy – MCCIA Press Archives, Profile Photo – Courtesy – Parkhe Trust
14. ^ "Maharashtra Industrial / Labor Situation 1980–1990". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6664/is_199703/ai_n26589098/. ^{[dead link]}
15. ^ Marpakwar, Prafulla (13 August 1997). "Mills and doom". Indian Express (Bombay: Indian Express Newspapers). http://www.indianexpress.com/old/ie/daily/19970813/22550313.html. 
16. ^ Misra, V N; Bellwood, Peter, eds (1985). Indo-Pacific Prehistory. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing. p. x. ISBN 90-04-07512-7. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=gMoJj-0Z94UC&pg=PR10&lpg=PR10&dq=%22Three+Angels+Memorial+Trust%22&source=bl&ots=Ar0hJRlVW1&sig=JZ-CjIrgi653FVMupxKRp3J2RbA&hl=mr&ei=mUArSvi8BpKG6AOzh7D2CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3. 
17. ^ Pendse, G.S.. The Vedic Concept of Shraddha. Pune, India: Three Angels Memorial Trust. ^{[further explanation needed]}
18. ^ ^{a b c} "Awards". Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture. Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture. G.S. Parkhe. http://www.mcciapune.com/award.aspx. 
19. ^ Parkhe, M. S. (1979). "A fundamental approach towards health and happiness". Chikitsa I (1–16). http://indianmedicine.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/root/P/85952/?pFullItemRecord=ON. 
20. ^ "Despedida da Choma Sagrada em Mapuca [Farewell from Choma in the Holy Mapuca]" (in Spanish). El Heraldo. 25 January 1968. 
21. ^ Miscellanous Yadnya News Reports, Dainak Sakal 27 February 1968 to 5 March 1968 Courtesy – Parkhe Trust Archives, Pune^{[Full citation needed]}
22. ^ Parkhe, M. S.; Bhat, A. R. (1962). "Economic aspects of paper manufacture on a small scale". 2. UN/FAO, Bangkok. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. pp. 571–573. http://www4.fao.org/cgi-bin/faobib.exe?rec_id=055331&database=faobib&search_type=link&table=mona&back_path=/faobib/mona&lang=eng&format_name=EFMON. Retrieved 13 September 2010. 
23. ^ Swami Bangovinda Parampanthi (1987). Bhagawan Parashuram and Evolution of Culture in North-East India. Delhi: Daya. Reference List. ISBN 978-81-7035-033-0. 
24. ^ "Loksatta – Lokmudra. Article Mr. G. G Nerurkar" (in unidentified language). 8 June 2003. http://www.loksatta.com/daily/20030611/lmlekh.htm. 
25. ^ Prabhakara Rao, M. (2000) (in Telugu). Bharatiya Sampradaya Bhumika Bhinnatvam lo Ekatvam [The Foundations of Indian Tradition—Unity in Diversity]. Tirupati: Janana Prasunamalika Prachuranalu. Reference Section. http://www.archive.org/stream/bharatiyasamprad014593mbp/bharatiyasamprad014593mbp_djvu.txt. 
26. ^ Parkhe, M.S. (1982). Agnihotra: The Vedic solution for present-day problems. Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala Mudranalaya. ASIN B000OHRWCS. 
27. ^ Source – Parkhe Trusts, List of Publications & Library Section.

External links

• Parkhe Pariwar [2]
• Agnihotra [3][4]
• Panchasadhan Prachar Kendra, Pune [5]
• MCCIA Past Presidents – M.S. alias Baburaoji Parkhe (1969–1972)[6]

Bibliography

• Patvardhan, V. S. (15 January 2005). Growth Of Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Part 2: Enterprises of Dahanukar, Apte, Dandekar, Sathe, Parkhe. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 81-7154-701-X. 
• Kulkarni, A.Y.; Parkhe, P.M. (1990). "Appropriate technologies for pulping and paper making of unconventional raw materials in India". 1. Tappi Pulping Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. TAPPI. pp. 313–320. ISSN 0275-0899. http://www.tappi.org/Bookstore/Technical-Papers/Conference-Papers/1990/PULP90/Appropriate-Technologies-for-Pulping-and-Paper-Making-of-Unconventional-Raw-Materials-in-India-1990.aspx. Retrieved 13 September 2010. 
• Parkhe, M.S. (1982). Agnihotra: The Vedic solution for present-day problems. Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala Mudranalaya. ASIN B000OHRWCS. 
• "MCCIA to present entrepreneur awards today". Indian Express (New Delhi: The Indian Express). 24 May 2009. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mccia-to-present-entrepreneur-awards-today/465083/. 
• "Quick Heal Technologies awarded G. S. Parkhe Industrial Merit Award 2009 by MCCIA" (Press release). Quick Heal Technologies. 25 May 2009. http://www.quickheal.co.in/news/2009/news-parkhe-award.asp. Retrieved 13 September 2010. 

Persondata
Name	Parkhe, Baburaoji
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	15 April 1912
Place of birth	Akkalkot India
Date of death	13 January 1997
Place of death	Pune India