Nana Jagannath Shankarseth

• The Maharashtra cabinet decided to ask the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth.

About Nana Jagannath Shankarseth (February 10, 1803-July 31, 1865)

• The social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist Nana Jagannath Shankarseth is often described as the “architect” of Mumbai (then Bombay), who made extremely valuable contributions in terms of both ideas and money to multiple sectors, to lay a strong foundation for the city.
• Shankarseth was greatly inspired by the legendary merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.
• He became the first Indian to be nominated to the Legislative Council of Bombay.
• He was the founder of Bombay Association.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS

• Education–
  • He donated land owned by his family for educational institutions.
  • Shankarseth founded the Native School of Bombay, which was renamed first as the Bombay Native Institution, and then as the Board of Education.
  • Finally, this institution evolved into the prestigious Elphinstone College.
• Railways –
  • The first train in India ran between Boribunder and Thane on April 16, 1853.
  • The 34-km project undertaken by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company.
  • The committee that gave the project impetus included Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and Nana Shankarseth.