Bhavarlal Jain

Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain (12 December 1937 – 25 February 2016) was an Indian entrepreneur, hounered by the Padma Award, Government of India, and the founder chairman of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. (JISL), now the second largest micro-irrigation company in the world after Netafim a manufacturer company owned by Orbia Group of Israel. He was a staunch Gandhian and philanthropist. He was the founder of Gandhi Research Foundation.

Life (1937 to 2016) Bhavarlal Jain was born in 1937 into a farming Marwari Oswal Jain family, originally in the village of Wakod located in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra.

Works

Inspired by a quote, "Agriculture: a profession with future", Jain added dealerships for tractors, sprinkler systems, PVC pipes, and other farm equipment. To broaden the business base, 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 in 1978.

Jain did a considerable amount of work particularly regarding water management systems. At JISL's modern research and development farm, work takes place to provide cost effective measures for wasteland development, soil and water conservation, greenhouse, fertilisation, adoption of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilisers, 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.

In July 2007, he founded the Anubhuti School, a strictly vegetarian, residential school with a difference which judiciously blends classroom learning with experiential project work. This school recently achieved the Green School Award.

Jain was the managing trustee of Jain Charities, an organisation dedicated to social causes like education and rural development. The organisation is now known as 'Bhavarlal and Kantabai Jain Multipurpose Foundation'.

Writings Jain authored many books in English and Marathi. The following table contains his writings listed by year of publication. His speeches, articles and interviews have been collected and published extensively.

Index Number Title of Book Year of Publication Subject Language 1 Aajchi Samajrachna, tiche swarup va punarbandhani 2001 Present social system and its reconstruction Marathi 2 A Telling Tale 2003 Water Management and Conservation English 3 Ti aani Mi 2009 Autobiographical and inspirational sketch of a spiritually united couple Marathi 4 Uniting Bond 2010 25 years' journey between two friends English 5 Then and Now 2011 Transformation of Jain Hills English 6 The Enlightened Entrepreneur 2013 Compilation of lectures delivered by Mr. Jain English 7 She and Me 2014 Autobiographical and inspirational sketch of a spiritually united couple English

Awards and recognitions

He was conferred the UNESCO-West-Net Water Conserver of India award in November 2007 by the Union Minister of Water Resources, Professor Saif-Ud-Din Soz at a function held in New Delhi.

In 2008, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India. The North Maharashtra University awarded him 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"; and "Significant Contribution in the field of Agriculture, Horticulture, Micro Irrigation & Water Conservation" respectively. In 2012, he was awarded The Good Company Award by Forbes.