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Home · History

Nine decades of legacy

From the swadeshi movement to shaping modern trade policy, the Chamber has been at every turning point.

The saga

From the Raj to the present day.

Lala Kamlapat Singhania, the doyen of the Indian Industrial and business community, saw to it that the message of the swadeshi movement was put into practice in industries and commerce in this part of India.

Chambers of Commerce in those days were, for the most part, either the handmaids of foreign business interests in India or the stepping stones for the political success of the Indian Lackeys of the "British Raj". About ninety years ago, in November 1932, the Merchants Chamber of UP was incorporated under Section 26 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 as a body devoted to public service, limited by guarantee, and motivated by no financial gains or profits.

Governor Sir Maurice Hallett at the Chamber's 10th Annual General Meeting, 1942
1942Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett, Governor of the United Provinces, at the 10th Annual General Meeting.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the Chamber's Silver Jubilee, 1957
1957Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurates the Chamber's Silver Jubilee year.
Chief Minister Sucheta Kripalani at the Chamber, 1965
1965Smt. Sucheta Kripalani, Chief Minister of U.P., at the Annual General Meeting.
Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram at the Chamber, 1978
1978Defence Minister Shri Jagjivan Ram with Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania at the 46th Annual General Meeting.
Indira Gandhi at the Chamber's Golden Jubilee celebration, 1983
1983Smt. Indira Gandhi with Chief Minister Shri Shripat Mishra and Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania at the Golden Jubilee.
President Pratibha Devi Patil at the Chamber's Platinum Jubilee, 2008
2008President of India Smt. Pratibha Devi Patil addresses the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Chamber, 2010
2010Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the founder's 125th birth anniversary.
Major Gaurav Arya speaking at the Chamber, 2024
2024Cracking the Code: Major Gaurav Arya on stage at the Chamber auditorium.
Nine decades in photographs, from the Governor's chair under the Raj to the Chamber's stage today. The full captioned collection lives in the Distinguished Visitors.
Milestones

A journey through nine decades.

1932

The Chamber is founded

Incorporated under Section 26 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 by Lala Kamlapat Singhania as a body devoted to public service, limited by guarantee.

1933

Evidence before Parliament

Led evidence before the Joint Select Parliamentary Committee on Indian Constitutional Reforms to place the case of Indian Commerce and Industry of the United Provinces.

1939

A mighty organisation

By this year, the Chamber had developed into such a mighty organization that even on the national economic stage, its participation was sought by both Government and Legislature.

1940s

Service during World War II

Arranged food grain supplies for employees during the war. Represented on the Railways Priority System. Handled mustard oil procurement for Bengal at the UP Government's request.

1948

Drafting the UP Sales Tax Law

The Chamber's services were offered free of cost for drafting the Sales Tax Law for UP, and were gladly availed of by the Government.

1957

Silver Jubilee

PM Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Celebrations and exhorted the business community "to act in a spirit of self-less devotion to the economic development of the country."

1962

National Emergency

Coordinating Committee set up under Sir Padampat Singhania during the Chinese aggression. Contributions to munitions production and civil defence won admiration of Governments.

1966

Industrialisation of UP Seminar

Two-day seminar inaugurated by CM Smt. Sucheta Kripalani. Feasibility reports on 149 industries that could be developed in UP were presented.

1968

Note on Industrialisation

Commissioned by the UP Government to prepare a comprehensive note on the industrialisation of Uttar Pradesh.

1970

Indigenous Technology

Seminar on the Development of Indigenous Technology, covering computers, nuclear energy and space.

1973

Technology Transfers Seminar

Two-day seminar on "Industrial Technology Transfers and Inter-dependence" organized with the US Government Information Services.

1975

The 20-point programme

The Chamber supported the Emergency declaration and the implementation of the 20-point programme.

1981

Solar Energy Seminar

Seminar on "Solar Energy: Prospects and Problems" under Shri Govind Hari Singhania. Explored renewable energy for India's future.

1982

Golden Jubilee

50th anniversary addressed by Union Minister of Industry Sri Narain Dutt Tiwari and UP Minister of Industry Sri Vir Bahadur Singh.

1987

PM Indira Gandhi visits

PM Smt. Indira Gandhi inaugurated the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Past Presidents and elite of Kanpur accorded a grand ovation.

2005

Dr. Karan Singh visits

Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman India Cultural Relations, praised the Chamber for its wide range of promotional activities.

2008

Platinum Jubilee

President of India Smt. Pratibha Devi Patil addressed the members of the Chamber, Traders and Industrialists at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

2010

Founder's 125th Anniversary

PM Dr. Manmohan Singh graced the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of founder Lala Kamlapat Singhania as Chief Guest.

2017

MCUP Mobile App launches

The Chamber launched its mobile application, available on both iOS and Android, to connect with members digitally.

2022

90th Year Celebrations

President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel, and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Shri Satish Mahana graced the 90th-year celebrations.