Anant "Dajikaka" Gadgil

Anant Gadgil
Born (1915-09-11)September 11, 1915.
Sangli, India
Died January 10, 2014(2014-01-10) (aged 98)
Pune, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Dajikaka
Occupation businessman
Known for PN Gadgil Jewellers

Anant "Dajikaka" Gadgil (September 11, 1915 – January 10, 2014) was an Indian businessman and founder of PN Gadgil Jewellers.[1]

Career

In February 1958, Gadgil moved his family brand, the Purushottam Narayan Gadgil & Co (PN Gadgil Jewellers; founded by his ancestor Ganesh Narayan Gadgil in 1832) from Sangli to Pune. The brand saw rapid expansion across the state of Maharashtra under Gadgil's business acumen.[2] He set up the premier PN Gadgil Jewellers store on Laxmi Road.[3] In 2000, he established the brand ‘PNG’, making the family business change into a corporate one. He initiated Gadgil Capital Services in 2001, and in 2007, Gadgil Commodity Service, thus marking the brand’s entry into finance and capital gains.[4] In 2008, ‘Dajikaka Gadgil Developers Pvt Ltd’ was formed, marking Gadgil's entry into the real estate and construction businesses[5]

In 1987, he was unanimously elected the President of the Pune Saraf Association.[6]

Legacy

Gadgil died following a cardiac arrest, after being admitted to Prayag Hospital for a chest and lung infection.[7][8]

Gadgil was survived in business by his grandson Saurabh Gadgil,[9] who in late 2014, established the Dajikaka Gadgil Museum in his honor.[10] The museum was inaugurated by actress Madhuri Dixit.[11]

Awards

Gadgil was conferred with numerous awards and felicitations throughout his career: ‘Khaas Nagri Satkar’ by the Pune Municipal Corporation in 2005, the ‘Sangli Bhushan’ Award in 2007, ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award by the Bombay Bullion Association in 2008, the Rotary Excellence Award, ‘Senior Social Worker’ Award from the Senior Citizens Association, Punya Ratna Award in 2012, and the Anmol Ratna Award by Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation of India in 2013.[12]

Philanthropy

He established the Global Mind Sports Foundation for the promotion of chess and was honored for his contribution to the bullion trade industry by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Pune Merchants Chamber, the Suryadatta Foundation, and by the Rotary Club.[13]

Literary works

Gadgil authored a travelogue of the river Ganga from its source at Gomukh in the Himalayas to its end at the Sagar Island off the Bay of Bengal.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Shaban, Sadiq (November 9, 2015). "Sparkling all the way with PNG Jewellers this Diwali". Khaleej Times. Established in 1958 by Shri Dajikaka Gadgil in Pune, PNG Jewellers
  2. ↑ Shermon, Ganesh; Shermon, Kavita (26 January 2016). Business of Staffing: A Talent Agenda (Illustrated ed.). Lulu.com. p. 30. ISBN 9781483444543.
  3. ↑ Deshpande, Renuka (11 September 2011). "Gadgil Jewellers 179-year-old journey from footpath to international showrooms". DNA India.
  4. ↑ "Heart Of Gold: Known for his work and his hearty nature, Dajikaka Gadgil will be sorely missed". Magna Magazine. 26 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Power Of Legacy". dgdl.in.
  6. ↑ "Heart Of Gold: Known for his work and his hearty nature, Dajikaka Gadgil will be sorely missed". Magna Magazine. 26 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "दाजीकाका गाडगीळ यांचे निधन" (in Marathi). Maharashtra Times. 10 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "PNG Jeweler's owner Dajikaka Gadgil dies of old age". Prahaar (newspaper). January 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Dajikaka Gadgil passes away". Sakaal Times. 10 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "A museum to celebrate a legend". Mid Day. 29 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Shende, Abhishek (12 September 2014). "Chaos at Madhuri Dixit event: Bouncers, cops rough up women". Mid Day. Madhuri was in the city to inaugurate the Dajikaka Gadgil Museum
  12. ↑ "Heart Of Gold: Known for his work and his hearty nature, Dajikaka Gadgil will be sorely missed". Magna Magazine. 26 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Mishra, Girima Rakesh (January 11, 2014). "P N Gadgil Jewellers founder ‘Dajikaka’ dead". Indian Express.
  14. ↑ Ganga (2nd ed.). Pune: Ameya Prakashan. 2009. ISBN 9788190351447.

Further reading

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