SHRI MEGHJI THOBAN
Shri Meghji Thoban was a prominent social figure, philanthropist and cotton merchant of Bombay. After early education in his native town Kutch (Gujarat) he joined clearing business at Bombay with his well-known brother Shri Khenga. A few years later they alongwith an Englishman, Mr. Gill, developed brokerage and cotton business and also started imports from Uganda, Sweden, Egypt and America.
Their firm Gill and Co. and Shri Meghji Thoban became most prominent in cotton imports and exports and their offices were established in important foreign and Indian cities. Meghji Thoban commanded great respect in Sthanakwasi Jain Samaj of Bombay.
He financed liberally Jain and non-Jain institutions alike. He was President of All India Swetamber Sthanakwasi Jain Conference and Sthanakwasi Jain Samaj, Bombay. With some of his colleagues, he worked to stop animal sacrificing. He started a Jain Sanskrit Vidyalaya for learning of Sanskrit, Pali and Magadhi for Jain saints and the common people.
Twice he organised eye-camps in Kutch for the benefit of thousands of patients. He was appointed Justice of Peace by Government of Maharashtra. After Meghji Thoban’s death in 1930, his son late Shri Vir Chand Meghji became the senior man in Gill 8- Co. He also earned name as a philanthrophist and leading cotton importer and exporter.
He provided substantial financial assistance to several institutions in Maharashtra and Gujarat. He was President of S.S. Jain Conference and constructed Sthanak in Kandabadi, Bombay in memory of his father. An Ambilshala is being run at the same place in memory of his wife late Smt. Laxmibai. He donated liberally to medical institutions at Kandabadi and other places.
He breathed his last in 1944 at a young age of 44. His sons have constructed Jain Hostel at Kandabadi in his memory. Seth Manilal, Sh. Shantilal, Sh. Bhogilal, Sh. Subhagmal, Sh. Dhirajlal and Shri Kantilal, sons of late Shri Virchand have developed the business with considerable success. The principal person in Gill and Co., Seth Manilal is well-known in the business community of Bombay.
The 85 years old Gill and Co. has earned further name in foreign and Indian markets under his able management. A person of amiable and accommodating nature he donates liberally for good cause.
Residence : 9-A, Ambuj House, Ultamount Road, Bombay-26, Phone 361964. Off. Phone 265001. Delhi Phone 587059.
