Chittajit Mohan Dhar
Chittajit Mohan Dhar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1919 Kolkata |
| Died | 24 January 1975 (aged 56) |
| Political party | Janata Party Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Leena Nandy Dhar |
| Children | Subha Dhar Sumita Dhar Uma Dhar |
| Parents | Dhirendra Mohan Dhar Amiyabala Sircar Dhar |
| Relatives | Mohini Mohan Dhar (Grandfather) Peary Charan Sarkar (Great Grandfather) |
| Education | University of Calcutta |
| Occupation | Chemical Industrialist Politician Member of the Parliament |
| Net worth | 462.805 Crores-176.592 Crores[1] |
Chittajit Mohan Dhar (1919–1975) was an Indian Chemical Industrialist, Member of Parliament, and founder of Perfect Chemical Industries.
Early Life and Education
Dhar was born to Barrister Dhirendra Mohan Dhar, B.Sc., LL.B., B.P.T.C.; Bar-at-Law, Member, Lincoln's Inn; High Court of Calcutta, and Amiyabala Sircar Dhar into an elite Kashmiri-Bengali family. He was the paternal grandson of Dewan of Mayurbhanj- Mohini Mohan Dhar Esq. M.A., B.L., and Sailendra Sircar, son of Peary Charan Sarkar, maternally. Dhar completed a Master's in Organic Chemistry and was a Gold Medalist. He later earned his PhD from the University of Calcutta.
Political Career
Dhar's political career began with his association with prominent leaders, including former Prime Minister Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi. He initially aligned with the Congress party and later joined the Janata Party. As a member of Parliament, he played a role in significant decision-making processes, particularly in national defense matters. He was married to Leena Dhar and had three daughters: Subha Dhar, Sumita Dhar, and Uma Dhar.
Career
He was the founder of Perfect Chemical Industries. Dhar made notable contributions to science, including the discovery of chemicals such as Dimethyl Phthalate and Benzyl Benzoate. His work was recognized by esteemed figures like Professor Humayun Kabir. Dhar was a pioneer in the production of dimethyl phthalate and benzyl benzoate in India. Chittajit Mohan Dhar (C.M. Dhar) played a crucial role in pioneering the domestic production of Benzyl Benzoate at Perfect Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd., located at 39 Dum Dum Road, Kolkata, West Bengal. This innovation was essential for defense applications, and by shifting production to Indian soil, the company saved the nation valuable foreign exchange, amounting to ₹1 crore annually. This move significantly reduced India's dependency on imports and demonstrated the company’s ability to produce complex chemicals domestically. In addition, under Dhar’s leadership, the company manufactured basic dyes such as Methylene Blue, Methyl Violet, Auramine, and Malachite Green, using indigenous plants and equipment. This commitment to self-reliant industrial processes was further evidenced by their production of Dimethyl Phthalate, another critical chemical for defense applications. The company’s achievements in the chemical sector were recognized by Professor Humayun Kabir, then Union Minister for Petroleum and Chemical Industries, who visited the factory to commend the rapid progress and the substantial contribution to saving foreign exchange. This visit highlighted the national importance of the company’s advancements and its role in supporting India’s industrial and defense sectors.
Death
Dhar died on January 24, 1975, due to a stroke, shortly after he returned from his factory, whose chimney had blasted that very day.
