Our History
The Foundation & Social Activism
During 1949-50, a few businessmen, driven by social activism and nationalism, confabulated about the need for a business owners’ association in Tezpur. The sky and horizon were filled with nationalist aspirations, and these founders were deeply imbibed with the goal of nation-building. Reputed owners of Tezpur and its nearby areas constituted the Darrang Chambers of Commerce in 1950. The first President elected was Kamala Prasad Agarwala and first secretary elected was Dwarika Prasad Agarwala, marking it as one of the first such organizations in Assam.
The "Bargola" Headquarters
They searched for a centrally located building for office establishment and found three rooms laying vacant at the 1st floor of the building owned by Maha Singh Rai Meghrai Bahadur (popularly known as Bargola) at N.C. Road. They happily agreed to rent out the rooms at a monthly rent of Rs 50/-. In no time, the premises was visited by business owners from across the region, seeking a spokesman for common problems with the civil and police administration. The trio of Dwarika Prasad Agrawal, Batcharaj Dugar, and Mulchand Bader became the "workhorses" of the Chamber, each a jewel of Tezpur who sparked a hunger for industrial dreams.
Jagdish Chand Jain & the Film 'Sangam'
In 1960, a courageous man with civilized taste, Jagdish Chand Jain, became secretary. As a former manager at Bharat Airways, his network was exceptionally strong across Mumbai and Calcutta. It was during his tenure that the famous film actor Raj Kapoor contacted the Chamber to help produce a film shooting in Tezpur. Kapoor chose the town because he knew of its rich film industry knowledge. For several days, members like J.C. Jain and Goma Prasad Agarwala provided their best service to Kapoor and Mr. Agha for the production of the successful film Sangam.
The Great Ambassador Lottery of 1968
By the mid-60s, young members joined the chamber and felt the three small rooms were insufficient. To fund a new plot, they organized a lottery with tempting prizes. Most business owners got involved in selling Rs 1/- tickets. The 1st prize was an Ambassador Car—an ultimate luxury—and the 2nd prize was a Scooter. The success yielded a surplus of Rs 45,000/-, a massive sum at the time. This allowed the purchase of the present premises (a former potato godown) in 1970 and the construction of a landmark double-story RCC building.
FICCI Affiliation & Price Regulation
In 1973, Rajendra Bader, holding an MBA from IIM Calcutta, became Secretary. His national-level networking ensured that the Darrang Chamber of Commerce became an institutional member of FICCI—the first in entire North East India. This period also saw a unique focus on public service; every Saturday at 6 pm, traders gathered in the chamber hall to fix the prices of essential commodities, creating a price circular that every shop owner in Tezpur strictly abided by to protect the public from inflation.
Documented By
Mr. Hemanta Lahkar
This detailed narrative was recorded by Mr. Hemanta Lahkar, dedicated to preserving the history and innovative spirit of NACCI for the progeny of Tezpur.