An industrialist with a nationalistic fervour who believed that road to true freedom goes through industrial liberation, Padampat Singhania, Head of J.K. Organization, was one of India's pioneering entrepreneurs, and a philanthropist as well.

Born on 3rd February 1905,to Kamalapat Singhania and Ram Pyari, Padampat Singhania played a significant role in India's constitutional history as a member of the Constituent Assembly and as a signatory to the Constitution.

Padampat Singhania did not receive formal educational qualifications at any school. He learnt the lessons of life outside educational institutions.

Even at a tender age, Padampat Singhania showed tremendous maturity and business acumen. He was barely 16, when  he began to shoulder major responsibilities in the newly established J.K. Cotton Spinning and Weaving Mills in the true spirit of the Swadeshi Movement. He managed the business remarkably well after his father's death. Padampat Singhania possessed great nationalist convictions. In 1942 at the peak of the Quit India Movement, he was approached by such eminent freedom fighters as Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya and Shri Balkrishna Sharma for funds. He was also a party to the execution of a secret undercover operation.

Although conferred with Knighthood by the British in the year 1943, he continued his support to the Swadeshi Movement and the freedom struggle through generous financial assistance.

Padampat Singhania significantly influenced the Indian industrial scenario in the post independence era through his industrial empire. Today, there are over 70 units in India and abroad with activities ranging from conventional products to cotton textiles, jute textiles, woolen textiles, rayon, nylon, iron & steel, cement, shipping, air transportation etc.

In 1969, he was conferred "D.Litt" (Honoris Causa) by the University of Kanpur.

His simplicity and devotion to the service of humanity won him laurels. His entire career was dedicated to the service of his countrymen. Padampat Singhania took active part in promotion and upliftment of various public bodies and founded Merchants' Chamber of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur.

He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Constituent Assembly.

He was a believer in social and religious reforms and a staunch follower of the tenets enshrined in the Gita. He built many educational, medical and religious institutions for the good of the people, but he left for the heavenly abode on 18th November 1979.

The Department of Posts honours the spirit of nationalism and entrepreneurship with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp on Padarnpat Singhania.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India