‘Navalmal Kundanmal Firodia, a businessman with vision’

Navalmal Kundanmal Firodia was a true Gandhian, freedom fighter and industrialist with a vision. He made a great contribution for the state’s industrialisation, said Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Friday.

He was speaking as the chief guest during the concluding
ceremony of the year-long birth centenary celebration of
Navalmal Firodia.

Acharya Chandanaji Maharaj, chairman of Shri Firodia Trust and chairman of Force Motors, Abhay Firodia, and trustee Shribala Firodia were present.

Pawar said Navalmal was one of the important contributors to the industrialisation of Maharashtra like Walchand Hirachand and Shantanurao Kirloskar.

He said, “Pune has become an automotive hub with thousands of vehicles being manufactured every day. Navalmal worked with that vision and his son Abhay has continued the legacy.’’

The minister said Navalmal was imprisoned after participating in the freedom struggle. There, he decided that after independence, he would spend his life for industrialisation of the country.

He said Navalmal led both the industries which produced autorickshaws and tempos. He focused on needs of the common man while manufacturing any product. He took steps to manufacture vehicles at affordable prices and he was successful in his efforts.

Abhay Firodia said his father invented the concept of an autorickshaw and developed its design. He also founded Bajaj Tempo Ltd, which pioneered the production of light commercial vehicles.