Hargovind Misra
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Hargovind Misra | |
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| Born | June 17, 1897 |
| Died | 1965 |
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Sir Hargovind Misra (17 June 1897 - 1965) was a visionary, entrepreneur, and a successful businessman among the pioneers who rebuilt India in the pre and post-independence era. Shri Hargovind Misra was acknowledged as the first hosiery expert of India, in the Free Press of London, on Nov 7[1].
Sir Hargovind Misra completed studies in Textile Engineering from University College of Nottingham and finished a practical course from Messrs. George Blackburn & Sons hosiery machine builders of Great Britain. In India he took charge of a demonstration hosiery factory at Cawnpore (city of Kanpur in UP) to introduce machinery specially adapted to the needs of small, cottage or full-fledged mills in the Indian industry. His entrepreneurial success was recognized by the British government and he was honored with Knighthood by the Order of the King of England, presented by the Viceroy of India.
Shri Hargovind Misra was also a well known Sanskrit scholar of his time [2], a philosopher, a journalist, freedom fighter of India, politician, and an avid patron of the sport of cricket. In the post-independence era he continued to excel as a member of the Bihar Vidhan Parishad. As an intellectual journalist he commented on crucial issues of the day, from economic policy to communal relations.
Early Childhood
Sir Hargovind Misra's father Pandit Jaigopal Misra was himself a philosopher, learned in Sanskrit, and was from a Maithil Brahmin purohits family of simple means in the village of Sodar Puriye Digaon in Darbhanga Mithila, Bihar. Pandit Jaigopal Misra taught grammar at the Vishudhanand Sanskrit College, Varanasi. Hargovind Misra learned Sanskrit literature, Vedshastra and astrology at home since a very young age, from a family immersed in ancient knowledge of India. His talent for writing 'janam kundlis' was apparent at the age of eight [3]. Hargovind Misra lost his father to the "haiza" disease that plagued India in early twentieth century. He had to leave the village in Darbhanga with his widowed mother, grandmother and four years old younger brother, in a bullock cart over rough terrain through jungles. During the caravan journey he met his future wife, the beautiful Sita Devi from Aligarh. He and his family ultimately settled in the Gwaltoli area of Cawnpore (Kanpur UP).
At the age of 11 years old, in the year 1908, Shri Hargovind Misra started working at the Elgin Mills for Rs 3 per month. His aptitude in mathematical figures and prodigious qualities were noticed by a staff member, which led to his promotion to an accounting position, a munshi, for Rs 18 a month. This was the starting point of his bright future. In 1925, he was promoted to a Superintendent position, soon followed by a government scholarship which helped him to attend the Nottingham University in England, specializing in Textile Engineering. The Bombay Chronical newspaper edition on November 10, in the year 1927, also published an article titled First Hosiery Expert of India, Mr. Hargovind Misra’s Success. The same year, he established the Misra Hosiery Mills [4] in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The hosiery mills provided clothing and parachutes for the military in WWII.
Married Life
Hargovind and Sita Devi had three sons and three daughters, namely: Suryakant, Damyanti, Kunti, Chandrakant, Malti, and Ramakant.
Knighthood
On June 12, 1941 – the St. James’s Palace, S.W.I announced the Central Chancery of The Orders of Knighthood, in Celebration of His Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the promotion in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire to Shri Har Govind Misra, Esq., Proprietor, Misra Hosiery Mills, Cawnpore, United Provinces. On Aug 18, 1945 - Under authority of a Royal Warrant, the Viceroy of India conferred the honor of Knighthood, at " The Viceroy's House," New Delhi, to Shri Har Govind Misra, Esq., O.B.E., Mill owner Cawnpore, United Provinces.
Patron of Cricket
In an October 31 article titled Committee For Kanpur “Test” Appointed [5], Hargovind Misra was appointed Reception Committee Chairman for the fifth “Test” match between India and Commonwealth Eleven held in Kanpur on February 1951. [6]
Contribution
Shri Hargovind Misra’s contribution to India and the world are valuable and relevant even today. His views and debates on food production to prevent food shortage in the world, military training to defend the country in complement to the non-violence philosophy, tracking resources such as cotton to provide fabric and clothing for the world [7], and many more topics are meaningful and relevant for India and the world even today. [8]
Demise
In the year 1965, Shri Hargovind Misra passed away peacefully at his home in Kanpur, UP, India.
References
- ↑ First Hosiery Expert of India, Mr. Hargovind Misra's Success. The Bombay Chronicle, Thursday Nov 10, 1927, Page 10.
- ↑ PROPAGATION OF SANSKRIT: Sammelan To Take Steps The Times of India (1861-2010); May 29, 1953; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Times of India pg. 5
- ↑ Personalities; a comprehensive and authentic biographical dictionary of men who matter In India (Northern India and Parliament]. Date:, 1952, Title: Misra, Mr. Hargovind, Author: Singh, Trilochan. Article Pages: 31-32
- ↑ Upper India Chamber of Commerce Cawnpore, 1888 to 1938
- ↑ Committee For Kanpur "Test" Appointed, Kanpur October 31 (PTI)
- ↑ Award Of Test Match Appreciated The Times of India (1861-2010); Sep 17, 1949; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Times of India pg. 11
- ↑ Report of the Panel on Hosiery Industry. Government of India. Department of Industries & Supplies
- ↑ The Indian Listener, Nov 25, 1951. Industry and Labour: Co-operation Essential, A discussion between Prof. D. P. Mukerji, Har Gobind Misra and Arjun Arora. Lucknow, North Regional Service. Page 9.
External links
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