When this business family gave a loan to the distressed Gujarat government; Today Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta are carrying forward that legacy.

Bollywood’s famous actress and businesswoman Juhi Chawla does not need any identity today. She is often counted among the richest actresses of the film industry. According to ‘Hurun Rich List’, Juhi Chawla’s net worth is around Rs 7,790 crore. At the same time, her husband and well-known businessman Jai Mehta handles a huge business empire worth about Rs 17,500 crore. Whenever there is talk of this couple’s property, people’s attention often goes to their stake in the IPL team ‘Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) which they have now sold. But very few people know that the roots of this inexhaustible wealth and success of the Mehta family go back more than a century. The history of this family has been very glorious both in India and abroad. There was even a period in the history of Gujarat, when the state government itself sought financial help from this family.

Mehta family gave loan to the government

This incident happened in the year 1960, when a major political change took place in the country. The then bilingual ‘Bombay State’ was divided into two new states, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Gujarat became a new state, but in the initial days it faced a huge challenge to stand economically and administratively. In fact, most of the big centers of trade and income had shifted to Maharashtra, due to which Gujarat had to start its economy from scratch. Satishbhai Vithalani, President of ‘Lohana International Business Forum’ and a distinguished leader of the society, recently revealed this interesting history in a podcast.

He told, ‘After the partition of Gujarat and Maharashtra, the Gujarat government was stuck in deep economic crisis in the initial years. The situation was so bad that the government did not even have money to pay salaries to its employees. In such difficult times, Jai Mehta’s grandfather and great industrialist Nanji Kalidas Mehta came forward to help the government. He had given a loan to the government to overcome the crisis. Giving loan to the government by a private businessman is a big thing in itself.

Went to Africa empty handed and became ‘King’

Nanji Kalidas Mehta, who laid the foundation of this huge empire, was born in Porbandar, Gujarat. It was the early 1900s, when at the age of just 13, this boy left for East Africa with big dreams in his eyes. Pockets were empty, but courage was high. He reached Mombasa, Kenya and started his life by working in small shops. He learned the tricks of the trade closely and gradually started a small business of clothes, grains and everyday items. Using his wisdom, he soon reached Uganda, which was called the ‘Pearl of Africa’ at that time.

Swamp converted into gold mine

In the 1920s, Nanji Bhai took a big and courageous decision. He bought a huge marshy and barren area in the ‘Lugazi’ area of ​​Uganda. People were surprised, but Nanji’s eyes were looking far away. He started sugarcane cultivation there. The path was not easy, because there were neither roads nor any basic facilities. But he did not give up and established ‘Uganda Sugar Factory Limited’ in the year 1930. Within no time this company became one of the largest industrial houses in East Africa. After this he did not look back. His business spread from sugar and cement to clothing, insurance, power and real estate.

Returned to India and built his dream palace ‘Swastik Bhawan’

Even after achieving immense success abroad, Nanji Bhai’s soul resided in India. He opened textile mills in his hometown Porbandar in the late 1920s. After this, in the year 1936, he built a very beautiful and luxurious mansion on the seashore in Porbandar, which was named ‘Swastik Bhawan’. This mansion was not just a stone house, but a unique example of art. Special limestone from Porbandar was used in its construction, while the floor inside was polished with Italian marble. To enhance the beauty of the house, tiles from Japan, glass chandeliers from Europe and luxurious furniture specially ordered from Africa were installed.

Favorite place of Prime Ministers of the country

How historical this house is can be gauged from the fact that many senior leaders of independent India have come here as guests. According to Nanji Bhai’s granddaughter Kamal Mehta, former Prime Ministers of India Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai have stayed here. The current Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi has also visited this historical mansion. Apart from this, the pride of Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and famous writers and poets from all over the world have also enjoyed the hosting of this house.

When Idi Amin’s cruel decision made paupers overnight

The story of the Mehta family is not just about getting rich, but also about fighting against difficulties and standing up again. By the 1970s, the Mehta family was providing employment, permanent houses, clean water and education to thousands of local people in Uganda. But in the year 1972, Uganda’s cruel dictator Idi Amin issued a dark decree. He ordered all 80,000 Asian (mainly Indian) people of the country to leave the country overnight. All the factories of the Mehta family were confiscated, bank accounts were frozen and the empire they had built with 70 years of hard work was snatched away in one fell swoop. The family had to flee from there empty handed.

Rise from the ashes and create history again

It is said that skill and goodness never go waste. When dictator Idi Amin’s rule ended in 1979, the new government of Uganda realized that only Indian businessmen could save the country’s economy. The government respectfully invited the Mehta family to return. When the Mehta family returned to Uganda, the locals welcomed them with open arms, as they had not forgotten Nanji Bhai’s philanthropy. The family started from scratch, restarting their closed sugar mills and tea plantations. Today, many decades later, the Mehta Group is one of the strongest business houses in East Africa and India. Even today, this family is influential in sectors like sugar, cement, hospitality and sports. Juhi Chawla and Jai Mehta are carrying forward this glorious and historical legacy today.