Exhibition on vision and legacy of Ramkrishna Bajaj comes to an end

The exhibition, drawn from archival material, has a saree hand-spun by Ramkrishna himself, an autograph book with inspirational messages from Congress leaders, previously unseen candid photographs of Congress leaders

The former chairman of Bajaj Group, who passed away in 1994, left behind a legacy in ethical business practices, social welfare and promotion of Gandhian values (Express archive)

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A month-long exhibition, titled Ramkrishna Bajaj: A Century of Vision and Legacy, commemorating Gandhian and prominent industrialist Ramkrishna Bajaj’s birth centenary, that was being held at Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point, will conclude Thursday.

The exhibition, drawn from archival material, has a saree hand-spun by Ramkrishna himself, an autograph book with inspirational messages from Congress leaders, previously unseen candid photographs of Congress leaders in-between meetings, a letter urging the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to control black money and Ramkrishna’s views on the Babri Masjid demolition among others.

Exhibition on vision and legacy of Ramkrishna Bajaj comes to an end

Read here: https://t.co/6rzJkhDAqd pic.twitter.com/CFnAcO7TQw

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) October 12, 2023

Known to be a “humanist first, industrialist later”, Ramkrishna, born in 1923, grew up under the personal guidance of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. The youngest child of Jamnalal and Jankidevi Bajaj, Ramkrishna referred to himself as “Mahatma Gandhi’s coolie” and learnt Sanskrit from Bhave when lodged in Nagpur jail. His childhood experiences were enriched by Gandhian philosophy. In 1941, he got permission from Gandhi to take part in the individual satyagraha.

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Glimpses from the exhibition on Ramkrishna Bajaj

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Glimpses from the exhibition on Ramkrishna Bajaj

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Glimpses from the exhibition on Ramkrishna Bajaj

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Glimpses from the exhibition on Ramkrishna Bajaj

The former chairman of Bajaj Group, who passed away in 1994, left behind a legacy in ethical business practices, social welfare and promotion of Gandhian values. He increased the reach of education as the chairman of the Shiksha Mandal, Wardha, which runs colleges and a polytechnic. He also facilitated the propagation of the Gita as the chairman of Gita Pratishthan and steered charitable activities as the chairman of Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust and founder of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.

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In a uniquely interactive style never seen before in Mumbai, the exhibit curates a variety of artists that Bajaj’s daughter-in-law Minal Bajaj contracted. Visitors are able to immerse themselves to Ramkrishna’s Bajaj’s experience in jail when he formally joined Gandhi’s struggle, you’ll even see the letter Gandhi wrote to the police formally informing them of Bajaj’s decision to join the freedom struggle .

His crib – handed down generations in the Bajaj family. His school essay on what he is looking for from his wife, the rare photographs he took in Vardha where his family played host to both Gandhi and other freedom fighters are reproduced in life size, high-definition.

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