Shri DeoKaran Jhunjhunwala ((1910-1968), Bade Babaji our beloved Great grandfather in his short span of life laid down such a strong foundation for our family that even after four generations the fruits of his hard work are being enjoyed by his family members. The more I learn about him the more in awe I find myself.
At a tender age of 12 Bade Babaji lost his father. At such a young age he had the great responsibility of supporting his younger siblings and mother on his shoulders. So he started working. He helped in buying and selling and earned profits out of it. He did very well for himself. So much so that he ordered eight shiploads of goods from Bangladesh. Unfortunately the ships sank and he lost all that he had earned for last so many years. They say when gold is heated it shines even brighter. This was true for bade Babaji as his resolve for succeeding was unshakable. The challenges in his life made his resolve stronger.
Bade Babaji did not give up. In 1936 he came to Barang (around 30km from Bhubaneshwar). Barang was a jungle then. Other than a railway station there was no infrastructure in this area. With help of his cousins he bought a half built glass factory in Barang. The factory was named Durga glass (after Badi dadiji’s name Durga Devi Jhunjhunwala) The Glass factory made huge losses for about seven years until around 1942. After which the fortune turned for this young Industrialist. On 15th August 1947 the foundation of Orissa Industries was laid by bade Babaji. Over the years he set up many manufacturing units that of Pipes, Sanitary ware, refractories etc. To be known as one of the leading Industrialists of India at that time.
Bade Babaji was a man of great ethics and principles. He treated his workers as his extended family. For the benefit of all he made a charitable school, a hospital and also a temple. He drew great strength from his mother, Basanti Devi ji, who actively helped him in all these charitable activities. She would visit the hospital, school and homes of the workers everyday and make sure everything was functioning properly.
School and Durga Temple (below) at Barang
Bade Babaji actively participated in the freedom movement of India. Many prominent leaders would visit bade Babaji. In 1948 during his visit to Orissa Shri Sardar Patel also met with bade Babaji and used his car during his visit.
HareKrushna Mahatab the first chief minister of Orissa would often consult bade Babaji for affairs relating to governance of Orissa. On the day of his demise bade Babaji conceived the plan of constructing Ram Mandir (One of the most popular temples in Bhubaneshwar today). Even in his last breaths he made himself useful for the world.
Bhubaneshwar Ram Mandir
In a short span of only 57 years bade Babaji achieved a lot. Even today when we visit Barang memories of his hard work come alive. Most valuable of his contributions are his ethics and human values which continue to inspire us.
Even though the branch of a tree sheds all its leaves but until there is life in its roots there is potential life in it. In nature this phenomenon is commonly witnessed by all of us, with change of seasons the tree sheds its leaves only to become green again the next season. I feel, a family tree also goes through similar life cycles. Some generations do better than others and the family tree bears more fruits at those times and vice versa. But like the tree until there is strength in its foundation or roots the family tree will also survive and blossom once again. Because there is potential life in it.
It’s a privilege to inherit bade Babaji’s name. As a part of his family, we his Great grand children are committed to taking his name forward. With hard work, inspiration from him and his blessings from heaven we once again pray to witness the spring. When flowers of good deeds and hard work will blossom for the benefit of this world, witnessing which his spirit will smile again in heaven.
Our Puja Ghar at Bhubhaneshwar house
In loving memories of Bade Babaji
Vasudha Jhunjhunwala
(P.S- Special thanks to Kashi Babaji for sharing the inspiring stories of Bade Baba ji with me.)
Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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2 thoughts on “The legend – Shri DeoKaran Jhunjhunwala”
Thanks for sharing these above information . it is really inspiring story . you should right something more about his struggle and expansion of the business .
May I get some more information about the Durga glass factory at Barang ? When / which year production started at the factory and in which year the factory was closed ? We are going to compile a book on 100 industries in Odisha. There we will also write about some of the important industries those were once upon a time known as Odisha’s pride.
Waiting for a response.
Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 
Thanks for sharing these above information . it is really inspiring story . you should right something more about his struggle and expansion of the business .
May I get some more information about the Durga glass factory at Barang ? When / which year production started at the factory and in which year the factory was closed ? We are going to compile a book on 100 industries in Odisha. There we will also write about some of the important industries those were once upon a time known as Odisha’s pride.
Waiting for a response.