DELHI HINDUSTANI MERCHANTILE ASSOCIATION

History 1994 to 1999

MOVING AHEAD STEP BY STEP

Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association completed glorious 100 years and moved ahead with Centenary Celebrations.

GANESH PUJAN

Centenary year began on Wednesday 24, March 1993 (Samvat 2050 Chaitra Mas Shukla Paksh) with Ganesh Pujan in Association auditorium.

CULTURAL EVENING

The first function of centenary year was the Cultural Evening held on Saturday 21 August 1993 in Talkatora Stadium. Fashion Show, Songs, Music etc. were part of the cultural evening in which famous models from the fashion world Madhu Sapre, Namrata Shidodkar and 18 others models took part. Play back singers Alka Yagnik and Shabbir Kumar and famous poet Shri Surender Sharma presented programs. This program was sponsored by Shri Bacchu Bhai Agarwal, chairman Vipul Textiles Industries Pvt. Ltd. It is noteworthy that Shri Bacchu Bhai began sari trade in Katra Asharfi Chandni Chowk which became a Giant Industry in Surat.

AKHIL BHARTIYA HASYA RAS KAVI SAMMELAN
           
On Monday, 21 March 1994 at 7 pm in the evening on historical Clock Tower in Chandni Chowk in the prestigious presence of Honorable Shri Salman Khursid, State Minister for External Affairs, Government of India as honorable guest Akhil Bhartiya Hasya Ras Kavi Sameelan was organized. In which Sarvshri Shail Chaturvedi, K.K. Saxena, Hullar Muradabadi, Hari Om Pawar, Pradeep Chobe, Manzar Bhopali, Arun Jamini, Ved Prakash, Sampat Saral, Shrimati Prabha Thakur, Shrimati Mridula Arun and other poets presented their poetry, famous poet Shri Surender Sharma hosted the Kavi Sammelan.

ALL INDIA TRADERS CONFERENCE

In FICCI Auditorium on Tuesday 22 March 1994 at 11 am All India Traders Conference was organized. Conference was inaugurated by Honorable Shriji Vainkatswamy, Textile Minister Government of India, Shri N.R. Shivaswamy, Chairman Central Board of Direct Taxes was the Chief Guest and conference was presided over by Shri Raunak Singh, President Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Conference began with Welcome and Inaugural speech followed by President’s speech, Key speaker, proposal, Vote of thanks and Dinner.

FELICITATION CEREMONY AND FEAST

On Tuesday 22 March 1994 an elaborate Felicitation Ceremony and feast with Shri H.K.L. Bhagat, Ex-Cabinet Minister as Chief Guest was organized in the presence of  Seth Chunnilal Jaipuria at Jaipuria House, Prithviraj Road, New Delhi.

CENETANERY CELEBRATION COMPLETION FUNCTION

Centenary Celebrations completed with an elaborate colorful function at FICCI Auditorium on Wednesday 23 March 1994. The function was inaugurated by Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Shri P.K. Dave, Shri Rajesh Pilot State Minister for Home Affairs graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

On the occasion Association honored the Business Organization and Firms which are members for more than 50 years and also honored the executive members who have been serving the organization for more that 25 years.

LIST OF MEMBERS WITH MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD MEMBERSHIP

Souvenir Sub-Committee:  Sarvshri Pawan Kumar Bansal- Convener and Shri Dhanpat Rai, Sudarshan Gupta, Ashok Khurana, Chetan Sharma, Ugrasen Singhal, Subhash Rastogi, B.S. Gupta, Tilak Raj Kapoor, Shadilal Kapoor, Madan Lal Tulsyan

FORTNIGHTLY BULLETIN

The pictorial information about the centenary celebrations were made available through fortnightly bulletin, in this work Managing Editor- Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, Chief Editor - Shri Suresh Bindal, Editor – Shri Ashok Khurana and Sub Editor- Shri Chetan Sharma had important role.

On the occasion of centenary celebrations Centenary Souvenir was released. In the evening famous Bollywood singer Hemlata with her party and famous Gazal singer Sneh Nagia with her party presented spectacular musical evening in FICCI Auditorium. The centenary celebrations concluded with elaborate dinner by Seth Chiranjee Lal Chaudhary.

CENTENARY CELEBRATION WITH WORKERS

On Monday 29 March 1994 with the courtesy of Seth Chunnilal Jaipuria and in the prestigious presence of Delhi Government Minister Shri Sahib Singh Verma dinner was hosted with and blankets distributed to workers employed in Textile Market.

A NEW BEGINNING

Association moved ahead in its Centenary Year memories and achievements in last 100 years. To begin the century of DHMA annual session was organized on 18 June 1994 in National Club which was inaugurated by Shri Chartilal Goel, Speaker Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Shri Jagdish Mukhi Finance Minister Delhi Government as Chief Minister and many other prestigious people.

After the Annual Session Association faced unhappy moment when the elections held for year 1994-96 were postponed by the election committee due to unwanted, unpleasant happenings. The elections were conducted on 10 September 1994 by the election committee in accordance with theAssociation rules and regulations. Newly elected Executive Committee and office bearers took oath in the Oath Ceremony held on 16th September 1994.

It is a matter of pride for Delhi Hindusatani Merchantile Association that many cloth traders who are members of association are also giving desired contribution in different social welfare activities. In this sequence in year 1994 Joint Secretary and Chief Editor of fortnightly bulletin of association Shri Suresh Bindal with his appreciable works and with the strength of his talent was elected District Governor of Lions District 321-A3 for the year 1994-95, An elaborate program was organized to felicitate him in National Club.

FICCI the apex trade and industry organization appointed Shri Tilak Raj Kapoor President of Association the Special Invited Member for year 1994-95.

Consumers were already disappointed with the working of Banks in this situation reckless increase of service charges 300 to 500 percentage by nationalized banks created a fury in traders, Association opposed this issue. Banks reconsidered the issue and after some time decreased the charges partially.

GRIEF ON DEMISE OF TEXTILE MINSTER SHRI SHIV LAL KHURANA ‘BHAGAT JI’: A religious figure of Textile Market Shri Shivlal Khurana who stood together with everyone in happy and sad moments.

DELHI RENT ACT: Different trade circles of Delhi trembled when Government of India passed a bill which issued a decree that a tenant will have to vacate the premises if landlord wants irrespective of the fact for how long the tenant has occupied the premises. In the leadership of Delhi Hindusatani Merchantile Association lacs of traders from whole Delhi opposed the Delhi Rent Act, they held demonstrations and rallies for removal of Black Law which will destroy the trade in Delhi. On 8th July 1995 whole Chandni Chowk was closed and on 11th July 1995 on the historical Ghanta ghar Chowk traders held a large demonstration and stopped the law from implementation.

The 102nd Annual festival was celebrated with great happiness in the Association Auditorium in the chairmanship of President Shri Tilak Raj Kapoor in which association members participated with enthusiasm. On the occasion Delhi Rent Act, Electricity problem in fierce heat, Trafic and Parking problems, Land allotment for Association Bhawan, Faulty System of Banks, Irregularities in Telephone Services and other important issues were passed.

To celebrate traditional festival Deepawali in 1995 members of association took a cordial decision to organize a get-together in which along with feast lucky winners through draw were given prizes. To organize this program a committee was constituted and elaborate deepawali function was organized in the evening of 21st October 1995 in Community Hall, Kaccha Bagh, members of Association and invited members took part in it and appreciated the function.

Association completed 102 years and with successfully completing its historical working entered 103rd year on 26th July 1996. On the occasion annual festival was organizes in the prestigious presence of honorable Shri Sahib Singh Verma, chief Minister of Delhi and other respected members. In accordance Association legislation elections are held after every two years. In the supervision of Shri Kanwar Kishan Rohatgi as Election Officer, Shri Vijay Sen Jain, Shri Jagdish Sharma as Additional Election Officer elections were held in which working of association was with Shri Chandra Mohan Grover and President Shri Tilak Raj Kapoor with his team.

The decision was taken to publish an illustrative ‘Saree Special’ issue which will give information about the untouched aspects of Saree manufacturing like how saree is manufactured, which yarn is used, dyeing and washing of saree etc, different skillful hands from saree passes from beginning to end to reach its beautiful form. Shri Chetan Sharma and Shri Subhash Rastogi played an important role in publishing of ‘Saree Special’ issue based on India Culture, this was released on 26th July 1995 by Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Sahib Singh Verma in the presence of more that 100 females from the families of Association members and Shrimati Margret Alva, well versed in different fields- MP and Ex- Cabinet Minister, Smt. Alka Pradeep w/o Shri Pradeep Shrivastava- DCP North Delhi Police, Ms. Girija Vyas - MP and Ex- Cabinet Minister, Eminent Dancer Smt Swapna Sundari, Smt Jasdeep Shrivastava- Additional Commissioner Custom, Smt Kiran Chopra w/o Shri Ashwini Kumar- Editor Punjab Kesari graced the occasion with their prestigious presence.

Indian Council of Arbitration appointed Shri Chetan Sharma (executive member of DHMA) member of its Governing Body unopposed for 1996-97.

To oppose Delhi Rent Act whole Delhi was closed from 12 to 16 May 1997 trade was shut down and strike kept. On 7th September 1997 whole Delhi Trade was shut down and strike kept traders appealed to Honorable President Shri Shanker Dayal Sharma, Prime Minister Shri P.V. Narshima Rao, Home Minister Shri S.V. Chauhan, Urban Development Minister Smt. Shiela Kaul, Chef Minister of Delhi and all the seven Member of Lok Sabha from Delhi by writing a letter that Delhi Rent Act should be taken back from immediate effect to give justice to the traders.

The Association moved ahead and reached 104th milestone the Historical 104th Annual General Meeting of the Association was organized on 26th July 1997 in Community Hall, Kaccha Bagh Delhi with dignity and pride.  Delhi Police Commissioner Shri T.R. Kakkar was the Chief Guest and President Chander Mohan Grover Presided over the adhiveshan.

Shri Suresh Bindal Senior Joint Secretary of Association who played an important role in the field of Cooperative Sector became member of High Power committee of Cooperative Group Housing Society constituted by Delhi Government under the Chairmanship of CM Shri Sahib Singh Verma.

It is a matter of pride for Dehli Hindustani Merchantile Association that Saree Special published by the Association which revealed the making, decoration and details of saree was awarded for publishing and editing by Hindi Academy for the year 1995-96.

To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence in year 1997 a Padyatra was organized from Cloth Market to Red Fort in which thousand of Cloth Traders and common people participated in the Padyatra. In the middle of Padyatra at historical Ghanta Ghar Chowk top leaders welcomed the Padyatra.

Chandni Chowk is world famous for its Mugal Architectural looks and is also know as crowded area and slow moving traffic. To discuss the law and order control and organization in Walled City area a conference was called on 23rd May 1998 in which Shri S.N. Shrivastava Deputy Commissioner of Police North Delhi, Dr. Anita Arya Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police North Delhi, Shri Raja Ram SHO Kotwali, Shri Yashwant Singh SHO Town Hall, Shri Ranvir Singh SHO Lahori Gate had deep discussion with the traders.

National Kavi Sammelan- As if traders were saying ‘We are Proud of Unity, Integrity and Sovereignty of India’. When before the whole in the leadership of Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and by the great scientist – missile man Shri Abdul Kalam Azad unique missile was successfully presented and tested in Pokhran, which made the whole nation proud. On this proud occasion Delhi Hindusatani Merchantile Association organized Rashtriya Kavi Sammelan at Historical Ghanta Ghar Chowk on 16th May 1998 which people from different fields and poets presented their beautiful poetry.

This is a matter of pride for association that with the passage of time trade organizations die due to mutual malice and benefits Delhi Hindusatani Merchantile Association became and example for others when moving towards destination it entered its 105th year and celebrated 105th Annual Function on 10th auguat 1998 in Community Centre, Kuccha Bagh, Delhi with dignified and elaborate arrangements and was inaugurated by Unison Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism Shri Madan Lal Khurana.

In the year 1998 Biennial Elections keeping all the myths aside textile traders elected Shri Pawan Bansal - President and Shri Suresh Bindal – General Secretary and handed over the rein to their whole team. The oath by the newly elected executive committee was taken in the prestigious presence of Member of Parliament Shri Vijay Goel and many distinguished people.

As inevitable by Law it was necessary that traders have to get Storage Trade License from Municipal Corporation of Delhi. This has never been easy for the traders to get Storage Trade License as concern authorities took out some error or avoided the applications. In this scenario the Chairman of Standing Committee Shri Shanti Desai and Deputy Commissioner City Zone Shri S.N. Jha cheerfully announced among the traders in the Association that Delhi Municipal Corporation will give Storage Trade License to traders for the floors except the basement.

Delhi Hindusatani Merchantile Association kept actively working for welfare and security of traders and solving their problems by keeping regular communication with the Government, Semi government officers of different departments. In this sequence on 10th September 1998 in Association Auditorium with Delhi Police Commissioner Shri S.N. Shrivastava and on 26th November 1998 with Shri C.V. Rajan Chief General Manager and Shri V.V. Rao, Shri N.K. Khan Chief Manager Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited discussions were held to solve the prevailing corruption and problems in their department.

Symbol and conviction in Panch as God and amicability solving disputes between traders with Panch Pranali and listening to the disputed with lawful approach which points should be kept in mind, what necessary procedures should be followed, For Guidance and information of the Panch involved in this selfless service and work former member of Law commission and senior Law advisor Shri P.M. Bakshi conducted a workshop to impart knowledge on Act and Provisions under Panch Pranali.

To solve the telephone related complaints of traders, junior telecom officer sat in the association on every Tuesday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and gave their services. With the efforts of Shri Vijay Goel, MP officers from Delhi Telephone Exchange Delhi Gate and Eid- Gah sat in association on 13th January 1999 from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and listened to telephone related complaints.

Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association honored, welcomed and felicitated Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee by presenting at his residence for successful working of the Government for one year.

It is universally known that Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association has always given contribution and played an important role in the progress of trade, religious activities, social welfare activities and nation building. In 1999 Nation faced the Kargil War, the whole nation boosted the morale of the soldiers by coming together and contributing relief goods and financial contribution. The Association on 10th June 1999 on Historical Town Hall, Chandni Chowk Blood donation camp was organized. Textile traders also gave a cheque 23 lac rupees to Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari at his residence and on 28th July 1999 in a program organized in National Club a cheque of seven Lac fifty thousand rupees was given to Smt. Shiela Dikshit for Security Fund.