Dajikaka Gadgil

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We need your support to keep the flame of knowledge burning bright! Our hosting server bill is due on June 1st, and without your help, Bharatpedia faces the risk of shutdown. We've come a long way together in exploring and celebrating our rich heritage. Now, let's unite to ensure Bharatpedia continues to be a beacon of knowledge for generations to come. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Together, let's preserve and share the essence of Bharat.

Thank you for being part of the Bharatpedia family!
Please scan the QR code on the right click here to donate.

0%

   

transparency: ₹0 raised out of ₹100,000 (0 supporter)



Anant "Dajikaka" Gadgil
दाजीकाका गाडगीळ
BornSeptember 11, 1915
DiedJanuary 10, 2014(2014-01-10) (aged 98)
OccupationJeweller, industrialist, writer
Known forFounding P. N. Gadgil Jewellers & Company in Pune in 1958

Anant "Dajikaka" Gadgil (Marathi: दाजीकाका गाडगीळ; September 11, 1915 – January 10, 2014) was an Indian jeweller, industrialist and writer. He is best known for founding the P. N. Gadgil Jewellers & Company in Pune in 1958.[1]

Early life and family[edit]

Gadgil was born on September 11, 1915, in Sangli, to Ganesh and Yashoda Gadgil (née Mahajan), of the Gadgil gharana of Dongare-Kondhe. His mother was his father's third wife, and Gadgil had two sisters. He had three half siblings through his father's second and fifth marriages. Gadgil married Tarabai Abhyankar, and the couple had two daughters and a son. She would adopt the name Kamalabai upon marriage. He was a great-grandson of Ganesh Gadgil, and a nephew of Purshottam Narayan Gadgil.[2]

Career[edit]

Gadgil initially began work as a jeweller at the P. N. Gadgil Jewellers & Sons store in Sangli in 1938, moving to Pune to set up a branch of the family business at Laxmi Road in 1958.[3] During his lifetime, he was lauded for his business acumen and philanthropic work by his contemporaries and the press,[4] most notably for surviving his business through The Gold Act of 1968, and fundraising for victims of the 1993 Latur earthquake.[5]

Gadgil was the recipient of several awards throughout his career; most notably being lauded by the Pune Municipal Corporation on several occasions, receiving the Rotary Excellence Award from the Rotary Club of Pune, and was awarded an honorary fellowship by the World Gold Council.[2][5] In 2007, he published an autobiography entitled Think Pure....[6] In 2009, he co-authored a book in Marathi on the Ganges river entitled Ganga.[7]

Death and legacy[edit]

Gadgil died on January 10, 2014, aged 98, in Pune.[8] He was succeeded in business by his son and grandson.[9] In late 2014, the Dajikaka Gadgil Gold Museum was opened at the P. N. Gadgil Jewellers store in Hadapsar.[10] In August 2016, he became the namesake of the Dajikaka Karandak, an inter-collegiate one-act play competition.[11]

List of works[edit]

  • Gadgil, Dajikaka (2007). Think pure ... Pune: Ameya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-903514-7-8. OCLC 463682583.
  • Gadgil, Dajikaka; Halic, Julian (2009). Ganga (in मराठी). Ameya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-903514-4-7.

References[edit]

  1. "दाजीकाका गाडगीळ". Loksatta (in मराठी). January 13, 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Joshi, P. K. (1989). Gadgil Kulavruttanta [The Gadgil Family Genealogy Almanac] (in मराठी). Pune. pp. 85–97.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Deshpande, Renuka (September 11, 2011). "Gadgil Jewellers 179-year-old journey from footpath to international showrooms". Daily News and Analysis. Pune.
  4. "P.N.Gadgil Jewellers founder 'Dajikaka' dies of old age". Saam TV. January 11, 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Juvekar, Rohan (January 10, 2014). "दाजीकाका गाडगीळ यांचे निधन". Maharashtra Times (in मराठी).
  6. Gadgil, Dajikaka (2007). Think Pure ... Ameya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-903514-7-8.
  7. Gadgil, Dajikaka; Halic, Julian (2009). Ganga (in मराठी). Ameya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-903514-4-7.
  8. Sawant, Rajesh (January 10, 2014). "दाजीकाका गाडगीळ यांचे वृद्धापकाळाने निधन |". Prahaar (in मराठी).
  9. "P N Gadgil Jewellers founder 'Dajikaka' dead". The Indian Express. January 11, 2014.
  10. "Dajikaka Gadgil Gold Museum". Museums of India. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  11. "Second edition of Pune's Dajikaka Karandak to break language barrier". Hindustan Times. August 6, 2017.