Prafulla Chandra Ray
Prafulla Chandra Ray, born on August 2, 1861, in Raruli-Katipara, British India (now in Bangladesh), emerged as a pioneering figure in the realms of science and industry. His journey began at the University of Edinburgh, where he pursued higher studies in chemistry, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Returning to India in 1888, Ray embarked on a mission to revolutionize the chemical industry in his homeland. In 1892, he founded Bengal Chemical Works, laying the foundation for indigenous chemical manufacturing. Under his visionary leadership, the company became a beacon of scientific innovation, producing a range of essential chemicals for various industries.
In 1892, Prafulla Chandra Ray rented house at 91 Upper Circular Road, Kolkata and founded Bengal Chemical Works with a capital of ₹700. Ray founded the company as an individual initiative with the intention with fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among the Bengali youth, and provide an alternative to jobs from the colonial British government.
The company presented its herbal products the 1893 session of the Indian Medical Congress in Kolkata.
The reputation of the company grew, and Ray added additional funds of ₹2 lakh to the company to increase the scale of production. The business was converted into a Limited Company, and on 12 April 1901 the company was renamed Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works Ltd. (BCPW), retaining the same premises at 91 Upper Circular Road, Calcutta.
After returning from Edinburgh, he joined as Assistant Professor at Presidency College, Calcutta, in 1889, where he worked until his retirement in 1916 and left a profound legacy among his students, like SN Bose, Meghnad Saha, Jnan Chandra Ghosh, who became stalwarts in later days. In the same year, at the request of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, he accepted the offer of Palit Professor in Chemistry at Calcutta University, where he remained associated till his death.
In 1908, John Cumming wrote in the “Review of the Industrial Position and Prospects in Bengal” that the “enterprise shows signs of resourcefulness and business capacity, which should be an object lesson to capitalists of this province”.
From a beginning with one factory in Kolkata’s Maniktala in 1905, three more factories were established – one in Panihati in 1920, one in Mumbai in 1938, and one in Kanpur in 1949, with its registered office at 6 Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata.
Ray’s contributions extended beyond entrepreneurship. As a scientist, he made significant breakthroughs in organic chemistry, particularly in the fields of nitrite chemistry and the synthesis of indigenous drugs. His research laid the groundwork for future advancements in chemical science in India.
Ray’s commitment to education was equally profound. In 1920, he established the University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT) in Kolkata, now known as the University of Calcutta’s Department of Chemical Technology. Through UICT, Ray aimed to nurture a new generation of chemists and industrialists, empowering them to drive India’s scientific and industrial growth.
Prafulla Chandra Ray’s legacy as a scientist, industrialist, and educator endures to this day, inspiring countless individuals to pursue excellence in the fields of chemistry and industry. His pioneering efforts continue to shape India’s scientific landscape and serve as a testament to the power of vision and perseverance.
Disclaimer:
This page is designed and developed by Macros Media. All data put up on this page is collected and developed by Macros Media. For any feedback, removal or change of content send a request to contact@themacrosmedia.com.