| Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 12, 1937 Wakod, Tal.Jamner, Dist.Jalgaon, India |
| Education | B.Com, LL.B |
| Occupation | Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. |
| Spouse | Kantabai Bhavarlal Jain (1938–2005) |
| Children | Ashok Jain Anil Jain Ajit Jain Atul Jain |
| Parents | Hiralal Sagarmal Jain Gauri Hiralal Jain |
Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain(also known as Bade Bhau – Big Brother or Bhumiputra – Son of the Earth) is the Founder Chairman of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.(JISL).
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He began his business in 1962 by trading in agricultural inputs and equipments. In 1978, he acquired a sick unit which he used to manufacture papain. In 1980, he commenced PVC pipe manufacturing operations. During 1987–98, he pioneered the concept of micro irrigation in India. He has received many awards and accolades for outstanding work in agriculture including the prestigious Crawford Reid Memorial Award instituted by Irrigation Association, U.S.A. for "Significant achievements in promoting proper irrigation techniques and in fostering major advancements in the Industry outside the United States of America" in 1997. He was the first Indian and the second Asian to receive this honour.
Jain was born into a farming family of a tiny village named Wakod in Maharashtra, India in 1937. In 1963, selling kerosene from a pushcart, the young law graduate Bhavarlal Jain, founded the family business in trading. The family formed a partnership with a meager Rs. 7,000, the accumulated savings of three generations, as capital. Soon, agencies for two wheelers, auto vehicles, and automobile accessories were established.
Inspired by a quote, "Agriculture: a profession with future" young Bhavarlal Jain added dealerships of tractors, sprinkler systems, PVC pipes, and other farm equipment. In order to broad-base the business, he also added agencies for farm inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. His business grew from Rs. 1 million in 1963 to Rs. 110 million till 1978.
Mr. Jain has done considerable amount of work particularly regarding the water management systems.At JISL's modern 1,000-acre (4.0 km2) R&D Farm, research and demonstration is taking place for providing cost effective measures of wasteland development, soil and water conservation, greenhouse, fertigation, adoption of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers, effective farm management and improving productivity for horticultural crops. ‘Grand Nain’- a tissue cultured banana variety introduced by him has emerged as the leading variety with banana farmers in Maharashtra.[1]
He has been striving hard to earn a place of pride for Indian agriculture by augmenting yields and adding value, through scientific inputs of technology.
In July 2007, he founded the Anubhuti high School,[2] a strictly vegetarian , residential school with a difference which judiciously blends classroom learning with experiential project work. This school recently achieved 'Green School Award'.
Mr. Jain is Managing Trustee of Jain Charities[3] now known as Bhavarlal and Kantabai Jain Multipurpose Foundation, an organization dedicated to social causes.
Mr. Jain has authored a book on sociology by name "Aajchi Samaajrachna, Tiche Swaroop va Punarbaandhani", "Tee aani Mee" in Marathi and another by name "A Telling Tale" on watershed development in English.[4] His speeches , articles and interviews have been collected and published extensively
Mr. Jain has received 22 International and National Awards.[5] He was conferred the prestigious UNESCO-West-Net "Water Conserver of India" award in November 2007 by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Saif-Ud-Din Soz at a function held in New Delhi attended by eminent delegates from the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, Central Water Commission and TERI .[5] The nation honoured him in 2008 with Padma Shri , India's fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India .[6] The North Maharashtra University awarded him with the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris causa) for "Remarkable achievements in the field of agriculture, industry and social work". Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Rajasthan and Konkan Krishi Vidhyapith , Maharashtra awarded the degrees of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa ) to him for "tremendous service to the nation by putting up Research Projects and Drip Irrigation Projects which is a unique boon to the agriculturists all over." [7] and "Significant Contribution in the field of Agriculture, Horticulture, Micro Irrigation & Water Conservation."respectively.[8]