SHRI SANT LAL GODHA

SHRI SANT LAL GODHA


Late Shri Sant Lai Godha son of Shri Bholanath was a distinguished jeweller of Delhi. His ancestors from Rajasthan settled at Delhi long ago. As jewellers they were well-known even in foreign countries. Shri Sant Lal Godha was not only a prominent jeweller but he also took great interest in religious and social activities and was held in high esteem in the Jain community. He expired in 1940. He had five sons, Shri Hazari Lal (1888-1936), Shri Hira Lal (1890-1946), Shri Kapur Chand (1892-1964), Shri Gulab Chand (1900-1940) and Shri Milap Chand (1902-1954), Shri Hazari Lal had his only son, Shri Mahendra Kumar, Shri Hira Lal adopted Shri Jienedra Kumar, Shri Kapur Chand had his only son Shri Rajendra Kumar, Shri Gulab Chand adopted Shri Bimal Chand and Shri Milap Chand had his only son Shri Kashmir Chand Godha. This family of big jewellers occupies a place of much respect among the Khandelwal Digamber Jains of Delhi.

Several important Jain functions and religious tours which are still fresh in the memory of Jains of Delhi were arranged with the active cooperation of Shri Sant Lafji. He constructed guest house at Mahavirji. His sons effected major repairs in Jain Chaityalaya of Baidwara, constructed by their ancestors and raised it to Shikharband temple in 1954. This temple is well-known for its artistic features. The art work at white marble is specially attractive. Chandoa and chattar studded with gold, enamel, diamonds, rubies, pearls etc. are rare possessions of this temple.

The grand-sons of late Santlalji are leading jewellers and active social workers. They have established Santlal Godha & Sons Charitable Trust in 1964. In 1971 they donated their Baidwara building for charitable purposes and have established in it Godha Clinic with modern facilities. It was firstly an outdoor dispensary. Since 1972 a maternity Home with 20 beds has been added to it. They have also donated liberally for modern fittings and other improvements in guest house of Mahavirji.

This family owns three big jewellery showrooms in Janpath, Hotel Oberoi Intercontinental, New Delhi and Hotel Oberoi Sheraton, Bombay. A factory, Industrial Oxygen Co., is being run at Poona in partnership. The family is progressing in industrial field since 1964.

Shri Mahendra Kumar Jain and Shri Kashmir Chand Godha are intimately known in social circles. Shri Mahendra Kumar is member of Governing Council of Ahimsa International. His 25 stories and 2 novels Bhagwan Shankar Chunav Chhetra Me and Paridhi-Vihin are to be published soon. He has visited USA, Canada, Japan, Thailand and Ceylon, etc.