Parsram Parumal Dabrai
Parsram Parumal Dabrai [1895–1981], born in Shikarpur, Sind, and later settled in Mumbai, was a successful sugar businessman known as the "Sugar Baron". Despite his wealth, he lived a simple Gandhian life, wore khadi, supported women’s education, participated in the freedom struggle, and deeply believed in prayer. He shunned publicity and, in his final years, donated all his assets to Seva Sadan and his eyes for the blind.
In 1948, he co-founded the Seva Sadan Society to support Sindhi refugees after Partition. Starting with a women’s vocational school, it grew to establish schools, the renowned R.K. Talreja College, and a College of Education in Ulhasnagar. Baba Parsram personally guided these institutions and is remembered as a great philanthropist and benefactor of the poor.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 1895
- Place of Birth: Shikarpur, Sind (Pakistan)
- Permanent Address: Wadala, Mumbai
- Occupation: He was in Sugar business
and was known as Sugar Baron
As Educationist
In the year 1948, in association with Madhavdas Sadarangani & Jhamnadas Talreja, he established ‘Seva Sadan Society’, basically to help Sindhi refugees, who migrated to India in the wake of partition of the country in 1947. The first activity was Nari Shalla, [School for Women] at which destitute women were trained in sewing and embroidery. The idea was to enable them to make the living with dignity. Later again in 1948, Seva Sadan started a High School, in the name of New Eara High School, at Ulhasnagar Camp No. 3, under the stewardship of Principal Mansharamani. This school had its own building in 1950. As there was no school for women, between Ulhasnagar and Thane [about 30 kms], hence the Seva Sadan started College of Arts, Science, & Commerce for women in 1961 initially. Later it became co-educational college. This college came to be known as famous R.K. Talreja College, Ulhasnagar in 1961.
Again in 1966, realising the dire need of having a training institute for teachers, Seva Sadan established College of Education, at Ulhasnagar. Baba himself personally nursed these educational institutions by paying regular visits to Ulhasnagar and having an ultimate interaction with the Principals of the institutions. Although Baba Parsram had hardly any formal education, he took great interest in establishing educational institutions, particularly for the children of refugee parents.
Baba Parsram was also a philanthropist and a messiah for poor and needy persons.
Additional Information
- Although he was a rich business man [Sugar baron], he had a very simple life. He was a true Gandhian and doned Khadi. He had also played a part in freedom struggle.
- He was a protagonist of woman educationist.
- He was a highly religious man. He strongly believed in the power of prayer.
- He shunned publicity and adulation, and he never allowed sycophants around him.
- At the fag end of his life, he donated all his assets to Seva Sadan. He also donated his eyes for the blind.
He expired in March 1981.