Leading entrepreneur Jit Paul passes away

Born on April 1,1923 in Jalandhar,Paul joined his father’s modest steel business in 1938,along with his three brothers —- Stya,Swraj and the late Surrendra Paul —- to turn it into one of the leading importers of steel and manufacturers of steel pipes and other steel products. The business later diversified into shipping,hotels,real estate,tea and book retail.

Having visited Bengal since the early 1940s,business compulsion forced him to relocate his business to Kolkata. Since then he shared a wonderful rapport with the business community. R P Goenka,chairman of the RPG,who was close to Paul,said that he has lost a dear friend and the country a great entrepreneur.

Having quit school after matriculation,he joined his elder brother Stya Paul in the family business,but along the way he ensured that the two younger brothers —- Swraj and Surrendra —- received the best of education,even sending them to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Apart from being a successful businessman,Paul’s simplicity towards his staff and his own life made him stand out. Most remember him as someone who,in spite of being a private person,had always welcomed people to his home with great humility. They remember him as a shrewd calculator with a flair for sporting an opportunity ahead of his rivals and he was also renowned for his capacity for hard work.

“He was a great visionary and made eastern India proud with his business endeavours. Personally,I shared a great relationship with him and his humility touched our heart. He would even travel economy class and would speak to all and treat all his employees equally,” said industrialist Sanjay Budhia.

Apart from being the co-founder of the Apeejay group,Paul was also known for his philanthropy and was involved with a large number of organisations like the Ramakrishna Mission,Arya Samaj,Deen Dayal Research Institute and Bharat Sevashram. He also valued education,due to his own lack of formal education,and established schools to not merely impart education but also instill the values of integrity,service and humility.

“He was a very jovial person and made everyone feel easy. He was a true philanthropist,involved in a number of social initiatives in the city. He was also a keen observer of the latest trends in business and society. He also led a simple life,devoid of ostentatious show of wealth,” said industrialist Harsh Neotia.