Writing the annals of any organization is never an easy task as it is necessary to mention not only its success but the failures too. It is expedient to know the past of any association not only in order to run it smoothly in the present as well as the future but also to get a firsthand knowledge of its modus operandi and learn lessons not to repeat its failures and mistakes.

Although it is a fact that only proven or actual events are chronologically recorded in history but sometimes it is given a new dimension by incorporating hearsay and proof of the happenings which are gathered from the dark unfathomed caves of the mother earth.

The records of the resolutions adopted at the executive Committee meetings and General Meetings of Hardware Merchants' Association and also other important events which took place, are available only after 1969, when the association was formed. When Sri Satya Narayan Sinhal and Sri Deokinandan Agarwal two senior members were contacted for having a knowledge about the main events of the period before 1969, it was found that the concept of forming an association and also its preliminary works had started way back in 1950 i.e. half a century ago.

There were only a countable number of shop of hardware goods in the town at that time and they were located at Mahabirsthan and Hill Cart Road. Sevoke Road was just passing through its childhood period. And also there was no panic and harassment of either Sales Tax or Income Tax Deptt. at that time. There was an influx of refugees after the partition of the country and at the same time, as the post independent India was passing through a period of alround development, the hard ware business was also poised for a big thrust. With the advent of the refugees coupled with used to open their shops early in the morning and continued till late at night. They could hardly spare any time for rest or entertainment. In order to overcome all these sorts of problems people started mixing with each other. This association was started under the name of "Chamber of Hardware Merchants" Prominent businessmen of hardware at this time were Sri Dewatram Bhupal, Gayaprasad Kedia, Sukhlall Minda, Tejmal ]agdish Prasad, Phoolchand Brothers, Sinhal Brothers, Rameswar Dass Gopiram, Siliguri Bajrang Stores, Piyarelall & Co. etc.

They were the persons, who planted the seeds of this association and it has taken almost twenty years for the seeds to germinate. In the meantime, these people started meeting at some one's house, used to have a tea party and discuss matters of mutual interest. Shops of Hill Cart Road used to remain closed on Sundays and these on the other side of Railway Gate on: Thursday, for this purpose.

As the tea gardens started facing problems because of this duel system of weekly closure, it was decided to have a uniform day i.e. Sunday as the weekly holiday and also a consensus was reached to regularize the time of opening & closing of shops. Thus the seedlings of the association started sprouting after this sort of conventions were formed against the self imposed barriers.

With the passing of time the number of Hardware shops increased with a simultaneous increase in their problems. People who used to host the meetings in their homes had their own problems and also keeping in view the possibility of misplacement of files, registers, papers & documents etc. it was decided to take on rent an office room at Sevoke Road in 1969 and thereafter all the meeting of the association started to be held regularly at this place.

Thus, in the year 1969, this organization duly came into existence and was named as "HARDWARE MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION" and late Sri Laxinarayanji was elected as its founder President and Sri Gajanand Goyal has the honored of becoming the Founder Secretary of our association. Late Sri Laxminarayaanji was a man of multidimensional personality. He was an active and dedicated worker and educationist. He was associated with many Social & Educational Institution of Siliguri viz. Siliguri Darjeeling Gaushalla, Siliguri Hind High school, Merchants Association etc.

Our association was registered under the Trade Union Act, 1926 on 8th August, 1970 and Sri Nanda Bhusan Daw, Sri Gajanand Goyal, Sri H. M. Baid, Sri Ramchandar Goyal, Sri Ramswarup Agarwal, Sri Amar Chand Agarwal & Sri Om Prakash Agarwal ( Piyarelall & Co. ) were duly nominated as members of the Trustees.

We are indebt to all those great men who formed this association a quarter of century ago and are still actively associated with it & guiding the young and new ones.

We are really proud of the fact that this association is not only looking after the interest of its members or for that matter of the business people only but is actively involved in the greater service of the members of the Society at large.