Sheth Jamnabhai Bhagubhai was born in 1869, in Ahmedabad, at the brink of India’s first freedom movement. He was the second son of Sheth Bhagubhai Premchand and Smt. Pradhanbaa. After completing his basic primary schooling, his parents, chose to home school their son in the virtues of religion, philosophy and humanity. Living amid a devout family Shri Jamnabhai had the privilege of learning the ethos of ‘living life in the service of others’ right from an early age, and made this knowledge the very guiding principle of his adult life.
When Sheth Jamnabhai Bhagubhai took over the reins of Gujarat Ginning and Manufacturing, he changed the face of this unit in a model industry of the times. The cloth manufactured from Gujarat Ginning and Manufacturing was not only famed in India but also across the world. The mill was also acclaimed for its highest standards of safety and never saw any disasters while under Sheth Jamnabhai’s leadership. Building on his success, Shri Jamnabhai added another unit, Purshottam Spinning & Manufacturing to his entrepreneurial portfolio. After the sad demise of his elder brother Sheth Mansukhbhai, Sheth Jamnabhai took charge of Motilal Hiralal Mills and just like his other endeavors, took this mill to new heights of success.
Despite his mammoth accomplishments in the realm of business, Sheth Jamnabhai continued to remain a humble man. He followed the path of religion complicatedly every day. Sheth Jamnabhai followed a rigorous daily routine as prescribed in Jainism without fail. He contributed significant monetary funds to the building of temples in several districts for the Jain community to avail. Sheth Jamnabhai even held and participated in numerous rituals that with the vision of bonding communities and bringing peace and teachings of the lord to the people. He also donated profusely towards charity and ensured that all those in need always found help at his doorstep.
In his final days, even though Sheth Jamnabhai was almost bedridden, he still ensured his legacy of rituals was continued. He donated to several causes including welfare of animals (jeevdaya). One of his most instrumental steps was that he helped abolish the traditional animal sacrifice that was carried on for over 500 years at a temple in Gujarat. Sheth Jamnabhai started a movement and worked with the district collector that this heinous practice be discontinued and the people who are responsible be punished. He even built a large Dharamshala at Kumbhariyaji a Derasar and several other religious facilities to for Jain devotees to avail.
Today, Sheth Jamnabhai’s legacy echoes through the Jain community as a person who devoted his life to its service. His Trust, known as the JB Trust stands as an example of his love for life and continues to offer treatments for various ailments to those who need it free of charge.
Sheth Jamnabhai lived his life in service of others and even after his demise, this mission is still carried on by his family in the same spirit that it was started with.
Sheth Jamnabhai Bhagubhai Religious Trust
JB Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to treating illness of people who cannot afford costly medical care, free of charge. For over 4 decades, the trust has treated several individuals, curing them of their ailments and serving human kind in the noblest manner.
JB Trust stems from the vision of Sheth Jamnabhai Bhagubhai, a devout Jain, humanitarian and entrepreneur, who dedicated his life in service of others. Sheth Jamnabhai established the trust to create awareness about various health problems, and offer free of charge treatments to the needy.
Today, JB Trust has helped countless patients. Several reputed doctors offer their services to the trust with the vision of furthering its cause to serve humanity to the best of their abilities.
The descendents of Shri Jamnabhai play an equally important role in keeping the operation of the trust transparent, simple and efficient so that no patient is left unattended.