Thakkar Bapa
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Birth Centenary |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | November 29, 1969 |
| Denomination | 20 nP |
| Quantity | 3000000 |
| Perforation | comb 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Chocolate |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 491 Stamp Number IN 507 Yvert et Tellier IN 290 Stanley Gibbons IN 605 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Famous people | Headgear | Humanists | Men | Optical Instruments | |
Thakkar Bapa, born on November 29, 1869, into a middle-class family in Bhanagar, Saurashtra, was originally named Amrit Lal by his father, Vithal Das Thakur. His upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of benevolence and service to humanity, which would shape his life’s work.
After obtaining his Licenciate in Civil Engineering from Poona in 1890, Thakkar Bapa embarked on a career as an engineer. He worked diligently in various capacities, including in Porbandar and as part of the team laying the First Railway Track in Uganda, East Africa. Later, he served as chief engineer in the Sangli State before joining the Bombay municipality.
It was during his tenure in the Bombay municipality that Thakkar Bapa encountered the appalling conditions endured by the city’s scavengers. Witnessing the squalid living conditions and the deplorable treatment of these individuals deeply moved him. Determined to address their plight, he made a solemn vow to dedicate the remainder of his life to improving their circumstances.