Page 56 - Gujar Mal Modi

The irate mob led by the rowdy elements continued their drama of violence for

eight days. During this period life in the town came to a standstill. There was
panic all around and it appeared as if lawlessness had become the law of the day.

As the situation in the town continued to deteriorate, Mr. Modi decided to go to

Lucknow to discuss the matter with the Ministers of the new Government. There
Mr. Modi met Mr. Govind Ballabh Pant, Mr. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai and Mr.

K. N. Katju, the Chief Minister, the Home Minister and the Minister for Industry
respectively. He was able to convince them that if it was intended that no pro-

tection should be afforded to the industries or that the industries should not
function at all, it would be better to order their closure in a peaceful manner, but

the type of rowdyism which was being permitted in Modinagar did not benefi.t
anyone.

Mr. Modi came back from Lucknow after securing an assurance that due pro-

tection would be given to the industries at Modinagar. The factories in the town
were able to resume normal working after about ten days of disorder. Mr. Modi

now started his search for an alternative site for the textile mill and finally se-
lected a big plot of barren land near village Bisokhar. Construction of the facto-

ry building was started in 1946 after the necessary formalities of acquiring and
developing the land had been completed. Mobilising capital for the factory did

not present any obstacles. In view of his past performance. Mr. Modi was able to
arrange all the necessary share capital within three days of floating of shares.

In 1947 he decided to start a paints and varnish factory. Mr. Modi made a big
contribution in developing indigenous know- how in this field.

The year 1947 also saw a big change for the better in his life. The enterprising in-

dustrialist had always preferred to live among the workers who ran his factories.
This helped him to share their joys and sorrows and also to know their difficul-

ties. It was this which helped him win the favour of the ministers of the popular
Government in Uttar Pradesh.

So far Mr. Modi had been wearing his traditional dress churidars and achken stud-
ded with golden buttons and a turban in the traditional Jodhpuri style. However.

while at Lucknow, he was highly impressed by the ministers. In deference to the

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