B.R. Bhatia
Chairman, C.Dass Group. President, C.Dass Foundation“The aim is not only to plant trees. It is to grow love, responsibility and long-term care for nature in society.”
स्मृति
The Legacy
Dr. Chhabil Dass Bhatia, known across Faridabad as Lala ji. 1 September 1930 to 5 May 2021.
He measured a life by what it gave away.
After Partition he faced great hardship, and through it he kept the flame of social service alive. In the NIT neighbourhoods of Faridabad, people came to know him simply as Lala ji.
Through his own hard work he founded the C.Dass Group, which gave ordinary people employment and dignity. Alongside it, as a founding member of Bhatia Sevak Samaj, he built an organisation that served without discrimination, with education for children, sewing and embroidery projects for women, and quality medical care that continues today at low cost.
He believed an organisation's real success lies in reaching the last person in society and changing their life for the better. That belief is the reason the C.Dass Foundation exists.
His four sons, B.R., R.K., Vipen and Mukesh Bhatia, carry it forward, and a third generation now stands with them.
- 1930
A life begins
Chhabil Dass Bhatia is born on 1 September. Faridabad will one day know him simply as Lala ji.
- 1947
Partition
He meets the hardship of Partition without letting go of service to others.
- 1976
A first trade
The C.Dass Group begins as a trading business in thinners and solvents.
- 1980
C.Dass Chemicals
The company is incorporated, built to make quality paints and allied products.
- 1986
Maharani Paints
Automotive and industrial paint manufacturing begins. Powder coating follows.
- 2002
Vamani Furniture
A new company for manufacturing and exporting wood furniture.
- 2007
Vamani Garments
Vamani Overseas brings designer garments to the group.
- 2012
Jaipur Crafts
A furniture manufacturing and export unit opens in Mahindra SEZ, Jaipur.
- 2020
A voice for the city
Radio Maharani goes live on 17 October as a digital station.
- 2021
Lala ji
He passes away on 5 May. His sons, and now a third generation, carry the work on.
- 2023
89.6 on air
Radio Maharani takes to FM on 1 December.
- 2026
The promise grows
The 11th EcoVan forest opens, and 225 units of blood are collected in his memory.
The family today
R.K. Bhatia
Managing Director, C.Dass Group“His life was a shining example of humility, integrity, and selfless service.”
Vipen Bhatia
Director, C.Dass Group“Great people never leave. They live on through their deeds and their thoughts.”
Mukesh Bhatia
Director, C.Dass Group“He taught us that the greatest dharma is service to humanity.”
Recognition
Honoured for doing things differently.
Among them, national recognition for turning waste paint sludge into new paint.
- 2015
National Award for Technology Innovation
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India
- 2014
SME Excellence Award
ASSOCHAM
- 2014
SKOCH Achiever Award
SKOCH
- 2011
Parivartan Award
India Carbon Outlook, for recycling paint sludge
- 2009
Corp Excel Award
Presented by Former President Pranab Mukherjee
- 2008
Innovation for India Award
Marico Innovation Foundation, for paint from waste sludge
- 2008
Innovation Award for Green Technology
Manufacturers Association, Faridabad
- 2007
Indira Gandhi Sadbhavna Award
A timeless legacy
Carried all the way to Kailash.
Vipen and Reeta Bhatia took the C.Dass Group flag on pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, dedicating the journey to the memory of their father.
“The greatest legacy we can leave behind is one of kindness, integrity, and service.”