G. D. Naidu was raised in Kalangal, a small village in the Tamil Nadu district of Coimbatore (1893 to 1974) to Gopalswamy Naidu. G.Doraiswamy Naidu, also known as GD Naidu, had only completed the third standard of education and still considered to be the definition of innovation. G.D. Naidu was a prominent Indian innovator, engineer, and industrialist. Naidu was a self-build inventor and engineer who made major contributions to the expansion and development of Indian industry.
Naidu began his career in a hotel in Coimbatore with the aim of saving up for a motorbike. He spent time on dismantling and reassembling the vehicle after buying it, later he worked as an apprentice at the Indian Railways workshop in Podanur in 1913, and he became a mechanic. He quickly proved his talent as a mechanic and inventor. By the age of 20, he invented an electric motor that was more efficient than any other motor on the market. In 1917, he established The General Electric Company, which produced electrical equipment for local industries.
Naidu created a range of devices, such as an automatic loom and a new type of carbon arc lamp. He began his transportation business in 1920. His Universal Motor Service (UMS) had amassed the most efficient fleet of public transportation vehicles in the country. G. D. Naidu’s NEW (National Electric Works) factory in Peelamedu, Coimbatore, produced the first motor in India in 1937. He also established Coimbatore Pioneer Mills in 1930, which ultimately became one of India’s leading manufacturers in textile machinery.
He invented the first electric razor. He was a pioneer in creating the first electric voting machine. He developed The Sir Arthur Hope College which later became into Government College of Technology.
Naidu’s innovations were not limited to industry. He was also interested and focused on science and technology education and established the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women in 1937. The institute’s main purpose was to educate women on cultural and social themes as well as practical knowledge in science and technology.
In order to accomplish his goal of building affordable houses for the poor, he has built a house in just 11 hours from morning 6 am to evening 5 pm. GD Naidu built houses in a single day. He was an innovator in the agricultural industry and ran several experiments on his Podanur farm.
The “Edison of India,” G.D. Naidu, was a well-known inventor and businessman who made a significant impact on the growth of the Indian industry. Today, there are many locations where G.D. Naidu is remembered.
- G.D. Naidu Industrial Exhibition: This place is a tribute to G.D. Naidu’s great achievements and contributions. The exhibition is in Coimbatore the city of Tamil Nadu.
- G.D. Naidu Museum: This Museum is a memorial to the inventor and has a range of vintage automobiles, cameras, radios and etc. The museum is in Coimbatore the city of Tamil Nadu.
- G.D. Naidu Charities: In honor of G.D. Naidu, a charitable organization called G.D. Naidu Charities was founded. The group works to give underprivileged people in Tamil Nadu access to healthcare and education.
- G.D. Naidu Library: Located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the G.D. Naidu Library is a study library. The library has a collection of publications on science and technology, including books, journals, and other materials.
- G.D. Naidu Hall: In Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, there is a conference room called the G.D. Naidu Hall. Numerous occasions, such as conferences, workshops, and seminars, take place in the hall.
Overall, these locations pay tribute to G.D. Naidu’s contributions and legacy and offer an invaluable resource for those looking to learn more about his life and career.
He kept on inventing and working until his death in 1974, leaving behind a lasting memory as one of India’s most brilliant industrialists and inventors. Also In 1957, the Indian government awarded G D Naidu the Padma Bhushan in honor of his contributions to industry and education.
