Dr Keki Hormusji Gharda, a legend in chemical engineering who revolutionized the industry with his groundbreaking innovations, forever changing the landscape of Indian chemical manufacturing, left for heavenly adobe yesterday. His demise is a great loss for the Indian chemical industry.

Dr Gharda is credited with giving a new direction to R&D in the chemical sector.

Born on 25th September 1929, Dr Gharda was a prominent Indian chemical engineer, chemist and entrepreneur. He was the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Gharda Chemicals Limited, an R&D-based company with business interests in agrochemicals, polymers and is actively pursuing an entry in the market for high performance pigments.

For his contribution to chemistry and chemical engineering, Dr. Gharda was a recipient of the American Institute of Chemists’s ‘Chemical Pioneer’ award. He also got the FICCI Award for Research and Technology for the development and commercialization of Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) from the then President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. He was elected to be a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 1976 in the field of Process Design.

About Dr. Keki Gharda

A hard core research scientist who built Gharda Chemicals which introduced several new products in India with indigenous technology.

Keki Hormusji Gharda born on 25th September 1929, is a prominent Indian chemical engineer, chemist and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and managing director of Gharda Chemicals Limited, an R&D-based company with business interests in agrochemicals, polymers and is actively pursuing an entry in the market for high performance pigments.

Dr. Gharda acquired a Bachelor of Science degree from Mumbai University’s Department of Chemical Technology. He then obtained a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Following the defence of a doctoral thesis, he received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Oklahoma.

Upon his return to India, Dr. Gharda established Gharda Chemicals, which is today one of the largest agrochemical companies in India. For his contribution to chemistry and chemical engineering, Dr. Gharda is a recipient of the American Institute of Chemists’s ‘Chemical Pioneer’ award. He also got the Federation Of Indian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry (FICCI) Award For Research And Technology For The Development And Commercialization Of Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) At The Hands Of The then President Of India, APJ Abdul Kalam.

Dr. Keki Gharda is an alumnus of St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra, Mumbai. He still lives in Bandra.

Gharda Chemicals Ltd.

Gharda Chemicals Limited, established in 1967, is a research-based company with four manufacturing units. Innovation through a vibrant R&D has marked the rise of Gharda Chemicals Limited (GCL) from a small unit in 1964 to one of the most successful and reputed companies in the Agrochemical Industry. A strong and vibrant R&D program and expertise in process development has enabled the company to capitalize on superior technology. This has led to the production of vital import-substitute products and cost effective agrochemicals on a large scale and consequently to a strong, competitive national and international presence. And all this has been made possible by the vision and unswerving dedication and commitment of Dr. Keki Gharda, Founder – Chairman & Managing Director, Gharda Chemicals Limited.

His only goal is “Knowledge converted through products to wealth for the good of society.”

Personal Life
Dr. Gharda is married to Aban, a graduate from St. Xavier’s College and a PhD from the University of Mumbai.

Community Development Initiatives By Gharda Foundation

“Earn a lot but.. very honestly.. live economically.. and spend generously and maximally for the community around, especially under privileged one” is in nutshell philosophy practiced by Dr.K.H.Gharda.
Inspired by the teachings of his mother, late Bai Ratanbai H. Gharda, Dr.Gharda has contributed through number of channels for community development programs in the vicinity of all operating sites viz. Dombivali and Lote Parshuram ( Maharastra) , Ankaleshwar and Panoli (Gujrat) . Apart from this many social, educational, cultural organizations have been on their feet due to liberal donations by Dr.K.H.Gharda.

Gharda Foundation was formed 10 years ago, keeping in mind, especially village development initiatives . It is operating in around 30 villages , having population of round 60,000 at Ankaleshwar and at Lote Parshuram.
Gharda Foundation operates with the principle of “Village Development through Self Development” and firmly believes in participatory approach and not one sided donations.

The team of social workers and community health volunteers is actively engaged in village development activities especially with concentration on health, education and income generation.

Preventive health care and health education activities are in the form of reproductive and child care, sanitation, personal hygiene, adolescent education, school health, First Aid, AIDS awareness, de addiction, safe water etc. The significant and unique scheme which has proved successful is ” Community Participated Drugs Revolving Scheme”.

Gharda Foundation is actively supporting primary and secondary education by having its own Balwadis and supporting teaching programs for school going children and residential training program for 10 th std. students along with question paper answering scheme and mobile library. For better infrastructure is has generously contributed to various schools for construction and repairs of schools buildings, sanitary blocks etc. The unique scheme is “School Area Development Program” which operates with the help of students and makes them earn while they work.

Income generation activities are mainly for women and are to make them earn while at home. These vocational training programs are arranged either the help of technical organization and agricultural universities and range from food preservation to tailoring and kitchen garden to retailing house hold items.Gf is also forming around 100 self help groups in the area.

As a part of area development and community awareness at village level activities are also conducted like water shed area development, Check Dams, agricultural development , self help groups formation, making aware about Panchayat Raj, rights and duties etc.

A prestigious ongoing project is a free food facility at doorstep of around 25 needy senior citizens of one of the villages.

Dr. Gharda always feels, we should come together as a family..as a group..as a village.. or as a nation & start building ourselves rather than expecting everything from the Government . With this concept in mind, “Self Governance” is the program launched to cover 1000 students of 15 schools, 500 house wives of 25 villages, 500 youths of 25 villages & elected representatives of these villages, so, that, Responsible Citizen of India, is developed.

Gharda Medical Foundation is another NGO mainly working in the field of curative medicine through Gharda Hospital, Lote Parshuram. It is a highly subsidized 20 beded secondary care hospital with qualified, trained and competent staff and all modern health care facilities under one roof. e.g. equipment ranging from X ray – ultrasound- autoanalyser- Elisa – cell counter to Laproscope – ophthalmic microscope – respirator – monitor and facilities ranging from minor surgery – delivery to intra ocular lens implant – trauma care – major surgery. It also has specialized set up to take care of Industrail Injuries, road traffic accidents and look after occupational health related issues. The hospital conducts free care for cataract surgery, family planning operations, vaccinations etc.

Bai Ratanbai Memorial Trust, formed in the name of dear mother of Dr.K.H.Gharda, runs 20 beded charitable hospital at Dombivali( Maharastra) for more than 15 yrs. It is also offering good quality medical services at highly affordable prices for the community at large.

Apart from this Dr.Gharda has very humbly helped innumerable institutions in the field of science, technology, medicine, education, vocational training etc & establishment of new Engineering College is a big step!
At one end by all parameters Dr.Keki Gharda is a scientist.. researcher.. engineer.. businessman.. and at the other , truly Gandhian.. in the true spirit.. having strong belief in “Nishkam Karmayog”.. all the while thinking of weaker hands and minds and desirous of extending his hand of support .. not to make them dependent but to make them stand on their own feet.. with self respect and self esteem preserved.

Awards :

* 1985 & 1995 : Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University Department of Chemical Technology.
* 1993 : Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers .
* 1997 : Life Time Achievement Award for Immeasurable Contribution to Research and Industry from the Indian Analytical Instruments Association .
* 1997 : Special Award from the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers for Exceptional Contribution to the Chemical Engineering Profession, Chemical Industry and Society at Large .
* 2000 : Chemical Industry Stalwart Award presented by CHEMTECH Foundation in Recognition of Outstanding Contribution rendered to the Indian Process Industry.
* 2000 : One of the four “Contributors to Indian Chemical industry in this Millennium” .
* 2003 : Vigyan Sanstha Ratna Award from the Institute of Science (Mumbai) Alumni Association in recognition of Dr. Gharda’s Contribution to the Indian Chemical Industry and Society in General.
* 2004 : Chemical Pioneer Award from The American Institute of Chemists, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
* 2007 : Diamond Jubilee Award of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Kolkata .
* 2007 : Dr. Bujor P. Godrej Life Time Award for outstanding contribution to the Indian Chemical Industry .
* 2007 : Life Time Achivement Award for Exemplary Contribution to Indian Chemical and Agrochemicals Industry from Chemexcill Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council.
* 2008 : Gold Medal from the society of Dyers and Colourists, U.K for outstanding Contributions to the Dyestuff Industry in India.