Draft:Sainthia's Industrial legacy

Product type	Hair products
Owner	Hindusthan Coconut Oil Mills
Produced by	Hindusthan Coconut Oil Mills
Country	India
Markets	Asia
Location	Sainthia
Led	RP-GP Chandra Group

Sainthia's Industrial Legacy

Sainthia, known as the Business capital of Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, holds a position in the regional industrial map. its industrial development is based on agro based industries and oil mills, and strategic connectivity through the Indian Railways. Over the decades, Sainthia has been a both a strategic point for the distribution of goods to the entire Bengal and further.

Historical Background

The based industrial on activities the fertile in hinterland Sainthia and gained the town’s momentum proximity from to the the 1960s railway era networks. and Besides, are Sainthia is famous all over for being one of the Shaktipeeth. Moreover, industries and local supply chains able to capitalize the goods handling rail network for sourcing raw material from across the countries.

Strategic Importance of Sainthia Junction

A major factor which has contributed to Sainthia’s industrial growth is the Sainthia Junction railway station which has a dedicated goods railway network. This infrastructure supports the back carry of raw materials of agriculture and finished products to major cities like Kolkata, Asansol and Malda and even to the adjacent states.

This Sainthia Junction is the only strategical station in the area which has a strong goods handling layout so it is the life line of the trade and logistics of the town. This has greatly lowered the transportation costs for local industries, thus enabling them to stay put in the regional as well as the national market.

Key Industries and Businesses

Joy Gopal Mustard Oil Industries

Joy Gopal Mustard Oil Industries, a product of Chaudhary Trading Private Limited, an entity of Chaudhury Group, is one of Sainthia's present and successful businesses. This is one of the town's agro-based industrial developments, famous for producing good quality mustard oil. This industry has been well known for purity and adherence to traditional processing methods. This joy Gopal Mustard Oil enjoys the trust and consumption of various households in the region, hence becoming a household name in the edible oil market.

Lion Brand (সিংহ মার্কা) Coconut Oil

This was the Lion Brand Coconut Oil, an iconic symbol in the industrial and cultural history of Sainthia. It was produced by Hindusthan Coconut Oil Mills Private Limited, a group of RP-GP Chandra. The coconut oil that has no match for its purity and quality was sourced from Kerala, the premier coconut-producing state in India. The careful production process ensured that every batch was of the highest quality, a fact that is further supported by locals who remember how the smell of fresh coconut oil often filled the air of Sainthia during production.

Lion Brand also became very popular through its creative and emotionally appealing advertisements over many ad agency e.g. Anandabazar Patrika, Paribarton, Bensons, IPB and more. The advertisement shown in the reference, dated late 1960s or early 1970s, shows a smiling family endorsing the product, highlighting its role in household well-being. The roaring lion logo on the tin became synonymous with trust, purity, and tradition.

Rice and Agro-Processing Units

Sainthia has emerged as a hub of rice mills, cold storage facilities, and other agro-processing units. These are mainly agro-processing units to process the agro-produce from the rich plains of Birbhum and include rice, pulses, mustard seeds, among others. Value addition to these products is thus spread across the entire state of Bengal and into neighboring states as well.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Besides oil mills and agro-processing, Sainthia is rapidly growing other SME units involved in making items like textiles, construction material, bakery products, steel industries and various other household things. These are generating employment for the masses living in and around the localities.

The Role of Railways in Economic Growth

The total goods railway network has been important in the growth of industries within the town of Sainthia. The station is among the key stations that handle good volumes of freights, comprising raw materials like mustard seeds, agricultural materials and products like edible oils and rice. This connects industries in Sainthia to export to the local wider markets.

The station is considered widely known for the train collision.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although Sainthia holds a great history of industrial culture, issues with old technology and limited access to capital and increased competition from hubs like Kolkata kept its growth a little slow, but the strong railway network availability and skilled labors at one place present great chances for modern-day industrial development at Sainthia. For all the years, Sainthia is a famous destination for pilgrims to visit one of the Shaktipeeth.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Sainthia's industrial enterprises, particularly brands like Lion Brand Coconut Oil and Joy Gopal Mustard Oil, have left a lasting cultural imprint on the region. These industries not only provided livelihoods but also shaped the identity of the town as a production and trading hub.

• Type: Lion Brand Coconut Oil
• Year: 5th October, 1981
• Source: Anandabazar Patrika
• Ad Agency: OBM-7957 A/2/BEN