G.L. Mehta: A Many Splendoured Man

This book is primarily the story of an individual, Gaganvihari L. Mehta, whose life spanned three quarters of the twentieth century. Gaganvihari Mehta was the youngest son of Sir Lallubhai Samaldas. Born in 1900, he was educated at Elphinstone College, Mumbai and the London School of Economics. G.L. Mehta became President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce in 1942. He was a member of the Constituent assembly. Mr. Mehta was a member of the first Planning Commission. In 1952, he was made India’s Ambassador for six years to the United States of America. On his return to India, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. In 1958 he assumed the Chairmanship of ICICI. Among the many other posts he held was Chairman of the National Shipping Board, Chairman Board of Governors IIT, Powai, etc. G.L. Mehta was a writer both in Gujarati and English and published several books. He is best remembered for his humorous and witty articles, a sample of which are reprinted in this volume. ` This is not just the biography of an individual. In a way it is also the story of the Indian intelligentsia who came of age and went to school and university between 1917, and 1947. The book has something to say about the world of business and politics in pre independence India and the process development of planning in independent India. It deals with Indo US relations in the 1950s and with the establishment of the first development bank in India. Based on scholarly research, but written in a lucid style, the book should be enjoyable reading to everyone interested in the social, political and economic development of modern India.