Godrej Centenary
A commemorative postage stamp on 100 years of the Godrej Group, co-founded by Ardeshir Godrej and Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej :
Issued by India
Issued on Jul 11, 1998
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a special commemorative postage stamp to mark the Godrej Centenary.
Design : The stamp design features the Godrej brothers Ardeshir and Pirojsha, and their contribution to building up the Country’s economy along with their environmental & social concern. The first day cover, features a group of school children representing the concern for education building up a safe and pollution free environment for the generations to come.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : J. P. Irani
Brochure : Based on the material supplied by Shri S. P. Godrej.
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : Stamp, Mint condition
Colour : Single Colour
Denomination : 300 Paise
Overall size : 4.06 x 2.73 Cms.
Printing size : 3.71 x 2.38 Cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.
Stamps Printed : 1 Million
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printer : India Security Press, Nashik
Name : Ardeshir Burjorji Sorabji Godrej
Born on Mar 26, 1868 at Bharuch, Gujarat, India
Died on Jan, 1936
Name : Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej
Born on 1882 at Mumbai, India
Died on 1972
About :
- When a young man named Ardeshir Godrej gave up law and turned to lock-making in the year 1897, a legend in the field of Indian industry was born. The word “Godrej” etched into the metal of his Anchor Brand locks became a symbol of self-reliance in the years that followed. Ardeshir Godrej switched to manufacturing high quality safes that won public acclaim. He made a scientific discovery by making soaps from vegetable oil instead of animal tallow. Godrej initiated the concept of trusteeship of wealth in 1921 by donating Rs. three lakhs to “Tilak Swaraj Fund”. Godrej became the harbinger of enlightened industry in India by laying the foundation of a thriving enterprise through an industrial garden township outside Mumbai, considering human relations the first principle of management.
- After India achieved independence in 1947, Godrej rose to the occasion when they supplied 13 lakhs ballot boxes in record time for free India’s first general election at an extremely low price.
- A major concern of Godrej was the welfare of his workers. Godrej was always ahead of labour legislations in the country by introducing such benefits as holidays with pay, provident fund, bonus, gratuity, medical and canteen facilities for the workers. The Godrej Udayachal school at Vikhroli is reputed today as the first school unit imparting education and putting up projects on important aspects in the lives of the citizens. In addition it promotes the preservation of the Indian heritage with the Soonabai Godrej Dance Academy Theatre. Godrej continues to be a crusader for a better world with programmes for family planning, protection of depleting forest cover, wildlife and mangroves. Godrej also sponsored the Foundation for Medical Research, Mumbai, particularly for the cure of leprosy. Again, through a rural health and research project, Godrej has striven to develop an alternative model called the Foundation for Research in Community Health for rural health care based on community participation, with the emphasis on preventive rather than curative aspects. Godrej also represents high manufacturing achievements as for instances, the successful manufacturer of the Vikas engine as its contribution to the country’s space programme.
