LinetteFisher at 19:34, 7 February 2026

2026-02-07T19:34:50Z

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{{Short description|Indian businessman (1936–1999)}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Harakh Chand Nahata
[[File:hcnnew.jpg|200px|centre|Shri Harakh Chand Nahata]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1936|07|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Bikaner]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1999|02|21|1936|07|18|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], India
| spouse = Rukhmani Devi Nahata
| children = 4 Sons
|occupation = Commodities Trader<br>Film Financier<br>[[Real Estate Developer]]
}}

'''Harakh Chand Nahata ''' (18 July 1936 – 21 February 1999) was a prominent [[India]]n businessman and social leader.<ref>{{cite web | title=Nahata Group Founder| website=Nahata Group | url=https://www.nahatagroup.com/team.html | access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref>

==Early life==
He was born in [[Bikaner]], [[Rajasthan]] on 18 July 1936. His uncle, Agar Chand Nahata, and elder brother, Bhanwar Lal Nahata, were acknowledged authorities on [[Prakrit literature]], [[Jainism|Jain]] canonical literature and scriptures. The family has a private collection of more than 85,000 books, manuscripts, works of arts etc. at Abhay Jain Granthagar in Bikaner. His family has more than 175 years of business presence in the field of trading and distribution in [[Assam]], [[Meghalaya]], [[West Bengal]], [[Calcutta]], [[Tripura]] and the former [[East Bengal]] (now Bangladesh).

He completed his schooling at Bikaner and his college education in Calcutta.

He died on 21 February 1999 in [[New Delhi]], after a brief illness.

==Business and trade==

===Tripura Town Out-Agency===
Nahata was the first person to start road transportation in the difficult and inhabitable terrain of Tripura. Handling the largest Railway Out agency in Tripura (Tripura Town out Agency) and establishing a large network of road transport at heavy costs and risks, he was instrumental in starting economic development and two-way traffic to bring economic gains for the tribal people and the state of Tripura.

===Technicians' studio===
Nahata contributed a lot for the development of cinema in Eastern India through his Technicians Studio. Calcutta, with which many internationally acclaimed directors like Satyajit Ray, Hritwik Ghatak & Basu Bhattacharya etc. were associated. Later, he turned a film financier and realtor. He encouraged many upcoming artists of films and performing arts with his advice, help and patronage. He was a connoisseur of art and literature and secretly helped many budding artists, poets and writers. He spotted talents of writers and published many books at his own cost to encourage them including a [[Hindi]] monthly magazine.

For his multi-faceted contributions to trade and industry, Nahata was honoured with awards by the [[Vice President of India]] and [[List of lieutenant governors of Delhi|Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi]].

==Social contributions==
He was a well-known social leader and [[philanthropist]], associated with more than 60 socio-religious organizations and Trusts like [[Heart Care Foundation of India]], Shanti Mandir-Bithari, Prakrit Bharati, Rishabhdev Foundation, Veerayatan, Rajasthan Bharati, Shri Ambika Niketan Trust, Ahimsa International, Shri Jain Mahasabha. Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Vishwa Jain Parishad and many others in different capacities. From (1990 onwards) he was the President of Akhil Bhartiya Shree Jain Shwetamber Khartargachha Mahasangh, the apex national representative body of thousands of Jains of this sect.

==Commemorations==
'''RELEASE OF MEMORIAL BOOK 'PRANAM' IN NEW DELHI'''

A 625 page voluminous memorial book 'Pranam' was released at FICCI Auditorium, New Delhi on 21.02.2001, by Union Cabinet Minister, Shri [[Sunder Lal Patwa]] and Dr. [[Satya Narayan Jatia]], Ex-Chief Minister of Delhi Dr. [[Sahib Singh Verma]], Diplomat, Eminent Lawyer and Member of Parliament Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Famour Film Star and MP Shri [[Raj Babbar]] and many other dignitaries graced the momentous occasion.

[[File:Harakh Chand Nahata Marg inauguration.JPG|thumb|[[Dara Singh]] inaugurating Harakh Chand Nahata Marg]]
'''HARAKH CHAND NAHATA MARG, NEW DELHI'''

On 1 March 2007, the wrestler, actor and member of the [[Rajya Sabha]], [[Dara Singh]], opened Harakh Chand Nahata Marg, a road that interconnects three villages of [[South-West Delhi]], namely Nanakheri, Badusarai and Raghopur. Nahata's family is in the process of developing a Farmhouse Scheme in that area by the name of Westyn Park.
[[File:HCN Bust.jpg|thumb|Hema Malini unveiling the bust of Shri Harakh Chand Nahata]]
[[File:HCN Stamp Release.jpg|thumb|Hon. Governor Shri S. C. Jamir releasing the Stamp]]

'''BUST UNVEILING, BHATI, NEW DELHI'''

In a ceremony held on the occasion of [[Mahavir Jayanti]] on 31 March 2007, [[Hema Malini]], an actor, dancer and member of the Rajya, unveiled a [[marble]] bust of Nahata at Mahabalipuram Teerth, Village Bhatti, New Delhi.

'''RELEASE OF COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA'''

A commemorative 5-[[rupee]] stamp was released by Shri [[S. C. Jamir]], Governor of [[Maharashtra]], on Shri Harakh Chand Nahata on 28 February 2009 in [[Mumbai]] to honor his selfless service to society and [[India]].

[[File:HCN Marg BKN.jpg|thumb|Harakh Chand Nahata Marg inauguration in Bikaner by Mayor Shri Bhawani Shankar Sharma]]
'''HARAKH CHAND NAHATA MARG, BIKANER, RAJASTHAN'''

On 28 September 2013, a 100 feet wide, 2 km prominent road connecting National Highway 89 to Rani Bazaar Industrial Area, [[Bikaner]] was named "Harakh Chand Nahata Marg" to honor him and his contributions. The inauguration was presided over by the Mayor of Bikaner Shri Bhawani Shankar Sharma in the presence of the Deputy Mayor Smt. Shakeela Banu, Shri Janardhan Kala, President City Congress Committee, Shri Chandra Prakash Gehlot, President Block Congree Bikaner, Shri Kanhaiya Lal Bothra. Also, in the picture is his wife Smt. Rukhmani Devi Nahata along with her sons.

'''BUST UNVEILING, BHADDILPUR, JHARKHAND'''

A marble bust of Nahata was unveiled at Shri Bhaddilpur Kalyanak Tirth ([[Jharkhand]]) by (Retd.) Justice Shri U.N. Bhachawat on 12 May 2012.

'''BUST UNVEILING, MITHILA, BIHAR'''

Shri [[Pramod Kumar]], Minister of Art & Culture, Government of Bihar, integrated a marble bust of Nahata at Shri Mithila Kalyanak Tirth ([[Bihar]]) on 1 February 2020.

'''RELEASE OF COMMEMORATIVE PURE SILVER COIN, BIKANER, RAJASTHAN'''

A Commemorative [[Silver]] Coin of 99.9% purity and weighing 40 grams, was issued by the [[Ministry of Finance]], [[Government of India]] and was released by His Excellency Shri [[Haribhau Bagade]], [[Governor]] of [[Rajasthan]] on 2 February 2025 in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Hon'ble [[Union Minister of Culture]] Shri [[Gajendra Singh Shekhawat]] also graced this momentous occasion with his presence.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

2. [https://www.indianphilatelics.com/stamps/commemorative-stamps/2009/item/14638-harakh-chand-nahata.html Commemorative Postage Stamp]

3. [https://rajasthan.ndtv.in/rajasthan-news/bikaner-25-rupee-coin-40-grams-silver-released-governor-haribhau-bagde-in-memory-of-harakhchand-nahta-7617390 Commemorative Silver Coin]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nahata, Harakh Chand}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Delhi]]
[[Category:Rajasthani people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Jains]]
[[Category:Social leaders]]

Harakh Chand Nahata - Revision history

LinetteFisher at 19:34, 7 February 2026