FOUNDER DESK
Mr Bhagwati Prasad Himatsingka
Born on the 18th of September, 1926 in Dumka, Bihar, Mr. Bhagwati Prasad Himatsingka was a visionary, a pioneer, and a true entrepreneur.
In 1946, he set up his first industry with a plastic goods manufacturing unit in Kolkata, which grew successfully under his leadership. He also represented India in the Plastics Promotion Council's Delegation to the USA, Asian and African countries.
A pioneer, he established relationships with corporate giants across the globe, and in 1961 set up India Carbon Limited, Asia's first Calcination Plant at Guwahati, Assam in collaboration with Oxbow Calcining LLC (formerly Great Lakes Carbon LLC) of the USA.
In 1964, he started Assam Carbon Products Ltd, for the manufacture of carbon brushes. 4 years later, he diversified into the field of chemicals by setting up Amines and Plasticizers Ltd, a Mumbai based plant for the manufacture of Ethanolamines and Plasticizers.
In addition to being a successful industrialist, Mr. Himatsingka was a great humanitarian, philanthropist and social worker. At a very early age, he joined India's freedom movement and took active participation in the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942.
He was President of "The National Society for Prevention of Blindness" in India and was also involved in several charitable trusts, schools and hospitals. He undertook various social service projects such as relief for flood and drought victims. He also founded "The National Diabetes Association of India" and set up an English Medium School in Kolkata for underprivileged children.
A major contributor in the industrial development of India, he was on the Board of the "Industrial Development Bank of India", "Assam Industrial Development Corporation", "and Assam Petrochemicals Ltd". He served as Chairman of the Carbon Panel of Government of India, and as Member of the Industrial Advisory Council, Import Export Advisory Council and many others. He presided over several noteworthy organizations, such as "The Indian Association for Productivity, Quality and Reliability", "National Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs", "Indian Chemical Manufacturer's Association", "Indo-American Chamber of Commerce" and "Plastics & Linoleum Export Promotion Council", among others.
Mr. B. Himatsingka passed away on April 9th, 1997. At the time of his death he served as the Chairman of India Carbon Ltd. and Assam Carbon Products Ltd.