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.

At the age of 55 (an old man in the India of that time), Mr. Ganendra Nath Banerjee started Gansons on August 19, 1947--just four short days after independence--to initially manufacture and distribute laboratory and other equipment. Given his age and family obligations, people thought he was crazy, but they underestimated his will. With the help of his wife and young children, he started off manufacturing laboratory equipment.

The first Indian-manufactured Bunsen burner was made by Gansons. As was the first laboratory gas plant, the first ampoule cutter, the first kitchen cooking burner. He wore fine suits to sell his products, but had no hesitation to put on shorts and pick up his tool box to service what he had sold. He knew his products would get better because he was committed to the pursuit of perfection. But the seeds of Gansons' commitment to the highest service and support standards were established early. "Don't leave until the client's problem is solved" was a key philosophy that Gan Banerjee implanted in his team through his actions.