There are some people who love to work for the society in a selfless manner. They are always true to their work and dedication is what comes to the fore for them in every sphere. One such person is Murlidhar Khaitan who can be termed a true karmayogi.

Born in Rajasthan, Khaitan has made Assam his home, being permanently settled in Jorhat. In his early eighties now, he also has a house in Guwahati and he keeps shuttling between these two cities often for work. Khaitan began his career taking up the responsibility of managing director of his company — the North Eastern Cables and Conductors Ltd which was started at Jorhat. With his dedication, the company from a nascent stage grew in strength and went on to win several national level laurels.

While receiving the national award for small industries in 2008 from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Khaitan seemed a contented man having done something for Assam as well as for his country. And he had reasons to be happy as his industry could do its bit in alleviating the unemployment problem of Assam, albeit to some extent, by absorbing a good number of local people. Not only that, he is also happy to be able to contribute in whatever little way he can for many a social cause in Assam.

“November 20, 1997 is another memorable day in my life,” says the hard-working industrialist and social worker Khaitan. On this date his industry received a rare honour from the Government of India for its ‘best productivity performance’. The then President of India, KR Narayanan gave away the coveted award to Khaitan in New Delhi. “I consider this to be a rare honour in my life that has only egged me to set newer goals,” says Khaitan, satisfaction and pride writ large on his face.

Besides receiving awards galore in New Delhi at national level, Khaitan’s industry has also been recognized as one of the pioneering industries in the Northeast. The Government of Assam in a special function on July 16 July, 2007 honoured and awarded him for contributing to the state’s industrial growth. “The work-force in my company too deserves credit for all these awards and accolades,” admits candidly the industrialist for whom social work is a passion.

He is now turning his focus on the world’s largest river island Majuli amidst the mighty Brahmaputra. There he has been undertaking a lot of social work for the benefit of the downtrodden. Moreover, he has been associated with a number of sociocultural organizations of Jorhat and other places in upper Assam offering selfless service for the cause of society. For all these he has also been honoured and awarded by several organizations.

What’s more, he has set up another industry a few years back near Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Looked after by his able son Prakash Khaitan, this industry too has offered livelihood for 300 Assamese youths, miles away from their motherland in the Pink City. This is undoubtedly a unique gesture on the part of Khaitans to have done something for the unemployed youths of Assam giving them some direction to earn their bread and butter as also uplifting the economy of their respective families back home. Assam will only benefit if the deeds of Khaitans are emulated by the other large-hearted businessmen and industrialists of the state.

It is heartening that this octogenarian is continuing his social work with missionary zeal even at this age. Shy of publicity hype, he is young at heart when it comes to working for the society. One can only wish him sound health to continue his love — social work.

Kamal Kumar Bhagawati