This Indian genius built India’s first aircraft factory, his biggest customer was…, also called…

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Since independence, India has made big developments in the field of aviation.

New Delhi: Air travel in India has seen different phases. Right from the first commercial aviation flight on 18 February 1911 to the establishment of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in 1931 and Air India, the flag carrier of India that was launched in 1932.

The past two decades have witnessed a huge increase in the air traffic. This includes both civilian and military planes. Since its independence in 1947, India has made big developments in the field of aviation and is producing its own aircraft.

Here, it is very important to know who built the first aircraft factory in India?

His name is Walchand Hirachand Doshi, an Indian industrialist who founded Walchand Group. He is also called the ‘Father of transportation in India’ as he established Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL) in Bangalore (now called Bengaluru) on 23 December 1940 in association with Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV of Kingdom of Mysore. Walchand Hirachand became chairman of the company and its office was opened at a bungalow called “Eventide” on Domlur Road.

Walchand founded the Walchand Group and established India’s first modern shipyard, first aircraft factory and first car factory. He also established construction companies, sugarcane plantations, sugar factories, confectioneries, engineering companies and many other businesses.

He earned a BA degree from the University of Mumbai. Later he attended Deccan College in Pune but discontinued his studies to join his family business of banking and cotton trades.

Later, he became a construction contractor in partnership with a former railway clerk. His biggest customer was the British government and he proved to be a successful railway contractor who was open to other business ideas as well.

Hirachand became a contractor in other departments of government and also supported the Indian independence movement. By 1947, the Walchand group of companies was one of the 10 largest business houses in the country. He suffered a stroke in 1949 and retired from business the next year. He passed away in April 1953 in Gujarat.

Walchand was noted for his ambition and vision and was highly respected.

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