JK Paper Mill, Rayagada celebrated the 127th Founders Day today, which is observed on the birth anniversary of Lala Kamlapat Singhania( 1884-1937). Collector Rayagada was the Chief guest on this occassion. Lala Kamlapat Singhania is the pioneer of the JK group, a major industrial houses of the country, which was named after taking the first letters of the name of father of Lala Kamlapat Singhania, Sri. Juggilal Singhania ( 1857-1922) and his own name.
Binodi Ram Singhania, the grandfather of Kamlapat Singhania, migrated frim their ancestral village SInghana, in the Shekawati region of Rajasthan to Kanpur and it is from here that the family rose to prominence. Lala Kamlapat Singhania and ardent nationalist and visionary founded the JK group in 1910.
The JK papermill was set up in the Chandili village 10 kms from Rayagada in the year 1962. It is among the first industries to be set up in the region, along with the IMFA ferro-alloys plant.
About fifty years back the first sheet of paper was rolled in this mill and now the industry has taken up expansion and modernization project , with state of the art machinery being installed, which will not only reduce pollution, but also increase efficiency. The authorities at JK paper mill plan to roll out paper with the new machines on the same day next year.
Collector Rayagada said that fifty years down the line, JK papermill has become a part of the history, geography and culture of this district. Its a major landmark in the district and is the identity of the district outside Orissa. He cited an example of a local entrepreneur ,who was during his visit to Delhi, asked about the location of Rayagada, a place he belonged and he is said to have pointed at the sheets of the JK office paper in that office and said he belongs to the place where this paper is made.
Collector Rayagada also requested the increased participation of JK paper mill in the beautification of the district, particularly in the matter of providing road arch signage and high mast lights, along with the support to the farmers and SHGs, that they are already providing.
The 40 employees of the Paper mill, who completed 25 years of service were felicitated by the Collector Rayagada in the function.
