WELCOME TO GANSONS

Gyanendra Nath "Gan" Banerjee was a passionate and progressive nationalist. He was raised by his mother who was far ahead of her time--in 19th century India, she was educated, literate in four languages, and a social activist. Gan Banerjee grew up with a fiercely independent soul. Bucking the traditional legal profession of his illustrious uncles, he sought a career in the sciences, first as an educator and subsequently, as a purveyor of the finest scientific instruments.

Gan Banerjee always believed in being competitive against the best in the world with the best technology and knowledge. Before the dawn of large-scale manufacturing in India, he traveled to Europe and the U.S.A to seek out partnerships with illustrious companies like Carl Zeiss, Bausch and Lomb, and others. He was internationally renowned--along with Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman, he was one of only two Indian members of the Optical Society of America in 1938. And he was friends with the great Indian scientists of the day--the great physicist Meghnad Saha always stayed with Mr. G.N. Banerjee in his small apartment whenever he visited Bombay.

Seeking better opportunities, Gan Banerjee moved from his home town of Allahabad to Bombay in the 1930s. However, the British occupation of India stifled his dreams and aspirations through oppressive anti-competitive policies. Multiple entrepreneurial ventures were thwarted by the British for various—most often trivial--reasons. Yet he persevered. In 1941, he railed against the British policies as the Secretary of the All India Manufacturers conference. He rallied his compatriots, envisioning the day, not too far in the future, when India would be independent and would need the entrepreneurial spirit of its people to start and drive the economic engine of the new nation. Despite his advancing years and failing eyesight, the fire of passion continued to burn bright.