THE CHANGE MAKERS OF BIKANER

THE
CHANGE
MAKERS OF
BIKANER


volume – 1, January 2010, compiled by
DR. T.K. JAIN
AFTERSCHO☺OL

Maharaja Ganga Singh ji :

Sri Ganga Singh ji gave the required momentum to Bikaner city. He was
a very literary person also
Sri Ganga Singh was born on October 3, 1880, the third and youngest
son of Maharaj Sri Lal Singh, and brother to Dungar Singh. Succeeding
his brother in 1887, he was initially educated privately, then at Mayo
College, Ajmer from 1889 to 1894. From 1895 to 1898, he was put
under the guidance of Thakur Pratap Singh Ji "CHURU" for
administrative training, learning administrative work from that of Patwari
to that of Prime Minister.For military training, he was sent to Deoli in
1898 and attached to the Deoli Regiment, which had the reputation of
being one of the finest Regiments in India under the command of Lt.
Col. Bell. During the first World War, he commanded the Bikaner Camel
Corps which served in France, Egypt and Palestine. As a ruler, he
established a Chief Court in Bikaner, presided over by a Chief Judge
who was assisted by two judges. Bikaner was the first State in
Rajasthan to take such a step. He announced the establishment of a
Representative Assembly in 1913. He later established a High Court
with a Chief Justice and two sub-judges by an edict in 1922. Maharaja
Ganga Singhji was the first prince in Rajputana to grant full charter of
powers to a high court. A life insurance and Endowment Assurance
Scheme was introduced for the benefit of the employees. Also, facilities
of a saving bank were made available to the people. He was one of the
first rulers to introduce through legislation a Sharda Act by which child
marriages were stopped. He had a personal gun salute of 19-guns
granted in 1918 and a permanent local gun salute of 19-guns granted in
1921, was the Hon. ADC to HRH the Prince of Wales in 1902 and to HM
George V in 1910. A Member of the Central Recruiting Board-India
1917, he represented India at the Imperial War Conference 1917, the
Imperial War Cabinet and the Paris Peace Conference 1919 and was
Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes from 1920-26. He also
represented India as a delegate at the fifth session of the League of
Nations in 1924. He was the member of the governing board of Benares
Hindu University and Sri Bharat Dharam Mahamandal, and was a Vice
President of East India Association and Royal Colonial Institute, a
Member of the Indian Gymkhana Club and of the Indian Army
Temperance Association, the General Council of Mayo and Daly
Colleges the Indian Society of Oriental Art, the Indian Society-London,
the Bombay Natural History Society, and was the first Member of the
Indian Red Cross Society. Singh a famous Indian freemasons of his
time. He married 1stly in July 1897 HH Maharani Vallabhkuver Sahiba of
Pratapgarh; she died 19 August 1906. He then married 2ndly HH
Maharani Sri Bhatiyaniji Sahiba of Bikampur and had four sons and two
daughters. He died 2 February 1943 in Bombay after a reign of 56
years, aged 62, and was succeeded by his son Sadul Singh. He
constructed the Ganga Canal. He inspired people to come and settle in
this new Command area. A large population settled than there. Among
them the Sikh families mostly the land owners, migrated to this region
from the Punjab. around 1928, when the canal was built by Maharaja
Ganga Singh of the former Bikaner state. Hindu families are the original
inhabitants of this region; however, there were no permanent
settlements in this area (except for a few towns under the old Bikaner
state). He successfully dealt with the worst famine of the year 1899-
1900 AD in the region. This famine inspired the young Maharaja to
establish an irrigation system to get rid of the problem permanently. He
developed the city of Sri Ganganagar and its surrounding area as the
most fertile grain bowl of Rajasthan He also constructed the Lallgarh
Palace at Bikaner (named in memory of his father Lall Singh) between
1902 and 1926. He brought railways and an electricity network to
Bikaner. He introduced prison reforms. Bikaner prisoners wove and
crafted carpets of India that were sold in the international markets.
He established partial internal democracy such as election to the
municipalities and appointed a council of ministers to aid and advice.
Some land reforms were also introduced.
He induced enterprising Industrialist and agriculturists from neighbouring
state for starting new ventures in his state.

He got many awards and recognitions :

Kaiser-i-Hind, 1st Class (KIH)-1900
Mentioned in Despatches-1901
China War Medal (1900)-1901
King Edward VII Coronation Medal-1902
Delhi Durbar Medal (gold)-1903
Grand Cross of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous of Hesse-1903
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-
1907 (KCIE-1901)
Honorary LL.D (Cantab.)-1911
King George V Coronation Medal-1911
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1911
(KCSI-1904)
1914 Star-1914
Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John (GCStJ)-1914
Honorary LL.D (Edinburgh)-1917
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)-1918
British War Medal-1918
Victory Medal-1918
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile of Egypt-1918
Honorary DCL (Oxon.)-1919
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)-1919
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) - New Year
Honours 1921, for war service[3]
Honorary LL.D (Benares Hindu University)-1927
Honorary LL.D (Osmania University)-1927
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935
King George VI Coronation Medal-1937
Africa Star-1942
War Medal 1939-1945-1945 (posthumous)
1939-1945 Star-1945 (posthumous)
India Service Medal-1945 (posthumous)

KARNI SINGH

Maharaja Karni Singh was the ruler of the Princely State of Bikaner
following its cession to India. He was an international skeet shooter
champion and a member of the Lok Sabha for 25 years from 1952 to
1977.Born on 21 April 1924 at Bikaner in Rajasthan, Singh was the 23rd
Bikaner Maharaja. Following his education at St. Stephen's College in
Delhi and St. Xavier's College in Mumbai, he received an honorary Ph.D
from Bombay University and saw action at the front line of World War II,
serving in the Middle East with his grandfather. Maharaja Karni Singh
won the National Championship in Clay Pigeon Trap and Skeet 17 times
and represented India at all levels of international competition including
five Olympic Games. He was given the Arjuna award in 1961, the first
ever shooter to be rewarded with this national honour. In 1962, Singh
won a silver medal at the 38th World Shooting Championships in Cairo.
He documented his shooting experience in a book of his memoirs From
Singh had three children; the second of these, Rajyashree Kumari, was
also a first class shooter who received the Arjuna award in 1968.
Maharaja Karni Singh died on 6 September 1988.
HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri
Dr. KARNI SINGH Bahadur 1950/1988, born 21 April 1924. His
preliminary schooling was completed in Bikaner, then at St. Stephens
College, Delhi, at St Xavier's College, Bombay, [BA (Hons) (History and
Politics)]; at Bombay University PhD, 1964 for his thesis 'Relationship of
Bikaner Royal Family with Central Authority (1465-1949)'. He was
elected Member of Parliament from 1952 to 1977 Lok Sabha (Indian
Parliament), served on various consultative committees of different
ministries. Recreations include.. tennis; shooting (he was a world
renowned shooter, as an outstanding player, he participated in many
Olympic and Asian Games in clay pigeon shooting; National Champion
in clay pigeon traps and skeet for many years; represented India, clay
pigeon shooting, Olympic Games: Rome, 1960, Pre-Olympics, Tokyo,
1963, Tokyo, 1964 (Captain), Mexico, 1968, Munich, 1972, Moscow,
1980 World Shooting Championships Oslo, 1961; Cairo (Captain) , 1962
(2nd in world after tie for 1st place); Wiesbaden, 1966 (Captain);
Bologna, 1967; San Sebastian, Spain, 1969; Asian Shooting
Championships Tokyo, 1967; Seoul, 1971 (Captain, Gold Medal); Won
Clay Pigeon Welsh Grand Prix, N Wales Cup and NW England Cup,
1981; Asian Games, Tehran, 1974 (Silver Medal); Kuala Lumpur 1975
(Silver Medal)); golf; flying (qualified for private pilot's licence); cricket;
mechanics; photography; oil painting. Clubs include Royal Wimbledon
Golf; Clay Pigeon Shooting Assoc., Essex (Hon. Life Vice-Pres.);
Willingdon Sports, Cricket Club of India, Bombay Flying, Bombay
Presidency Golf, Western India Automobile Association (Bombay); Delhi
Golf (Delhi); National Sports Club of India. He was an ardent supporter
of Rajathani Language and pleaded for its inclusion in the 14th schedule
of Indian Constitution. Awards include.. Insignia Grand Commander:
Order of Vikram Star (Bikaner), Order of Sadul Star (Bikaner), Order of
Star of Honour (Bikaner); Africa Star; War Medal; India Service Medal,
'ARJUNA AWARD' for shooting sports in 1962. Member of the Asiatic
Society of India and the Bombay Natural History Society, married 25
February 1944, HH Maharani Sushila Kumari of Dungarpur and has
issue, one son and two daughters. He died 4 September 1988.
Hisam-ud-din Usta was a celebrated artist born in 1910 in the village of
Dulmera in the erstwhile Bikaner State (present-day Rajasthan, India).
Hisam-ud-din was the last formally trained painter in the Bikaner School
style/tradition and became a celebrated artisan in the media of Naqqashi
and Manoti. Manoti is an embossed medium where gold is layered with
painted floral patterns using translucent and opaque oil and
watercolours on bronze, wood, gold, silver, plaster of paris, and camel
leather. Naqqashi has the same methods as Manoti in its application but
the gold is unembossed. These media are proprietary methods
practiced only by Usta artisans of Bikaner. Hisam-ud-din received the
national award of master craftperson in 1967, and was a recipient of the
Padma Shri award in 1986, the highest honour given to an Indian artist
by the President of India. Hisam-ud-din Usta died in Bikaner city in
1987.

Padma Shri Sudhir Tailang

Tailang was born in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Tailang, who made his first
cartoon in 1970, started his career with the Illustrated Weekly of India,
Mumbai, in 1982. In 1983, he joined the Navbharat Times in Delhi. For
several years he was with the Hindustan Times, while also doing short
stints with the Indian Express and the The Times of India. His present
assignment is with the Asian Age. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2004
for his contribution to the art of cartooning. He launched a book of
cartoons titled "No, Prime Minister", a set of cartoons on the Prime
Minister of India Manmohan Singh.(I THINK THESE PEOPLE HAVEN'T TRIED TO UPDATE IT IN DETAIL, LIKE THEY HAVE DONE OF OTHERS....I'LL PUT SUDHIRJI'S PROFILE IF NEEDED)

Padma Shri Allah Jilai Bai

Allah Jilai Bai was a reputed folk singer from Bikaner city in Rajasthan.
Allah Jilai Bai was born on February 1, 1902 to a family of singers in
Bikaner. Her talents came into the spotlight from as early as the age of
ten when she was invited to the court of Maharaja Ganga Singh for her
beautiful performance.
The inborn talents of Allah Jilai Bai in singing were further groomed by
Ustad Hussain Baksh Khan and also by the renowned Achhan Maharaj.
She grew up well versed in Khayal, Thumri, Dadra and Maad which
formed a strong base to her numbers. Her versatility found the best of
representation in Kesaria Balma which still allures the connoisseurs of
music.
This glorious artist left for the heavenly abode on November 3, 1992
Awards
In 1982, The Indian Government awarded her the Padma Shri, one of
the highest civilian awards.
Allah Jilai Bai (February 1, 1902 – November 3, 1992), also known as
Smt. Hajjan Allah Jilai Bai, was a folk singer from Rajasthan, India.
Born in Bikaner to a family of singers, by the age of 10 she was singing
in the Durbar of Maharaja Ganga Singh. She took singing lessons from
Ustad Hussain Baksh Khan and later on from Achhan Maharaj.
She was well versed in Maand, Thumri, Khayal and Dadra. Perhaps her
best known piece is Kesaria Balam. In 1982, The Indian Government
awarded her the Padma Shri in Arts field [1], one of the highest civilian
awards. She has been also awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in 1988 for Folk Music.

Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya, writer, critic, and poet
Born on 31st August 1945, in a traditional family in Bikaner, Dr. Nand
Kishore Acharya is one of the foremost creative writers of our times.
Beginning his writing career early with an analytical work on the writings
of one of the most eminent writers of India, Ajneya, Nand Kishore
Acharya himself grew to find his own distinct voice in the affectionate
guidance of literatures like Ajneya and Chhagan Mohta (Chhagan
Mohata was also a greak philosopher from Bikaner). Even Ajneya when
he first met Acharya found it difficult to believe that this thin, shy, young
man was the author of "Ajneya ki kaavya Titirsha", a book that had with
great simplicity and critical acumen had analyzed the person and the
poetry of this founder of new poetry in India and who had given Indian
literature a whole new dimension.
His plays, poems criticism, articles on issues of contemporary concerns
and on education and his translations have given Hindi literature a new
insight, a new direction and a new recognition of values. A command of
almost every genre of creative writing, clear incisive vision and originality
of verbal expression has earned him great respect amongst his
contemporaries. His writing explores the grey and untouched subliminal
zones of myths, legends and history, redefining human sensibilities and
piercing the contemporary
social and political scenario, and in his poems it delves deep into the
recesses of human experiences enthralling the reader like a whiff of
flesh fragrant breeze. Doctor Acharya has distilled the forts, havelis,
squares, narrow alleys, windows and casements and the desert breeze
so beautifully in his poetry that Ajneya called him the 'inimitable bard of
the beauty of the desert'. The conflicts of the creative heart are etched
verbatim in his creation. The words written upon the paper are not mere
words; they are the yearnings of the heart distilled upon the paper. As a
thinker Dr. Acharya is an altogether different person. His critical insight
into contemporary literature, art and culture, society and civilization
education and humanist concerns, and ability to carry it out to it logical
conclusions establish him as a mature and complete thinker.
When this usually quiet man speaks on a subject, he rivets the listener
with incisive, original and relevant expositions. Expostulations are an
integral dimension of his thought. He may not be the only thinker on
creativity and creative process but his efforts are certainly laudable. His
translations of many classical as well as modern and contemporary
poets including Riocaan, Brodsky and Lorca and the works of M.N. Roy
give him a distinct identity even as a translator.
Dr. Acharya is a creative man even in his personal life. To realize ones
values and thoughts in the life may be a difficult fete for us, for him it is
only a natural process, which makes him exemplar. Head of the Dept. of
History in BJS Rampuria College at present Dr. Acharya, participates in
most cultural events in the 'Theatre Capital of North India: Bikaner', and
the aesthetes of Bikaner usually find him present on most such
occasions.
Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi journal Madhumati has published a
complete number (July to August 2000) of their focusing on him as
person and poet. His original insightful and thought provoking writing
has created a special place for him on the horizon of Indian literature,
and Bikaner takes pride in this creative geniuses presence and creation.

Distinctions / Honours/ Publications
Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi's highest honour Mira Award.
Bihari Award by the KK Birla Foundation.
All India play writing honour Bhuvaneshwar Award.
Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Bhuwalaka Award (2001).
Life member of Vatsalnidhi Trust.
Asst. editor in Everyman's, Co-Editor in Naya Pratik, Editor of Arumaru
and Marudeep (weekly), and Chiti (bimonthly)
Jal Hai Jhan (1980)
Wah Ek Samudra Tha (1982)
Shabda Bhule Hue (1987)
Aati Hai Jaise Mrityu (1990)
Kavita Mein Nahin Hai Jo (1995)
Included in Chautha Saptak (Editor Ajenya)
Plays
Dehaantar (including Kimidam Yaksham 1987)
Paagalghar (including Joote 1988)
Gulam Badshah (including Hastinapur 1992)
Criticism
Ajneya Ki Kaavya Titirsha (1970)
Rachna Ka Sacch (1986)
Sarjak Ka Man (1987)
Anubhava Ka Bhaval (1994)
Sahitya Ka Svabhava (2001)
Others
Sanskriti Ka Vyakarana (1988)
Aadhunik Vichar Aur Shiksha (1989)
Parampara Aur Parivartan (1991)
Sabhyata Ka Vikalpa.
The Cultural Polity of the Hindus.
Polity in Shukranitisaar.
Translation
Sunate Hue Baarish (1983) (Riokaan)
Nav Manavaad (1998) (M.N. Roy)
Vignana Aur Darshan (1999) (M.N. Roy)


Padma Vibhushan Prof. Vijay Shankar Vyas


Prof. Vijay Shankar Vyas born on 21st August 1931 in Bikaner. He had
his early education in the same city. He graduated and did his Postgraduation
from the University of Bombay, Bombay from where he also
obtained his Ph. D. degree in Economics. His academic endeavour and
unparallel command over the field of his expertise has surely placed him
among the leading Agricultural Economists of the country. Armed with
his varied and valuable experiences, he has been able to generate a
multifaceted working scenario for himself. Prof. V.S. Vyas has held
several prestigious, professional and leadership positions in National
and International Organisation. He has been the Director of IIM,
Ahemdabad; IDS, Jaipur and Senior Advisor, Agriculture and Rural
Development Department, The world Bank, Washington D.C.
His academic feasts involved presidential posts of the Asian Society of
Agricultural Economists (current), The Indian Society of Agricultural
Economics, and The Indian Society of Agricultural Marketing. He has
also been elected honorary life member of The International Association
of Agricultural Economists. Apart from this, he has worked with
International agencies including FAO, ILO, UNDP, IFAD (UN agencies),
Ford Foundation, New York and IDRC, Ottawa. He also rendered his
consultancy and advisory services to central and state governments
from time to time. He is still actively involved with a number of
Academic/Research Institutes. Prof. Vyas has authored/ co-authored as
many as 6 books and published numerous articles in National and
International Journals of repute. He has been invited to deliver lectures
and keynotes in many workshops and seminars in India and abroad. At
present, Prof. V. S. Vyas is Emeritus Professor and Chairman,
Governing Board, Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur. He is a
member of the Central Board of Directors of Reserve Bank of India - the
first non-official director in the Board from Rajasthan. He is also chairing
the high-powered expert committee on rural credit sponsored by
NABARD in consultation with the RBI and the Finance Ministry, Govt. of
India. He has set up Ajit foundation, which is a pioneering nongovernment
organisation spreading reading habits, general awareness,
community discussions, community libraries, community development,
and mobilising youth in Bikaner city.


Sri Shivratan Agarwal

Shri Shivratan Agarwal (Popularly known as Fanna Babu) is one of the
prominent businessman of the desert city Bikaner. He is Managing
Director of Shivdeep Industries Limited (Popularly known as BIKAJI
Group) His brand name is not only popular in India but also across the
globe . There are times when even Bikaner is also known after BIKAJI
Bhujiya and Namkeens.
Grand son of late Shri Haldiram Agarwal , he was born on April 19,
1952. Since childhood, he had interest in industry. He took over the
charge from his father late Shri Moolchand Agarwal in the year, 1978,
since then he has been running this industry independently having
present turnover about 25 crores per annum. He is married to Smt.
Shushila Devi Agarwal (who has been given many awards for
entrepreneurship) ( December 05, 1970). His son Mr. Deepak Agarwal
is also a philanthropist like him. Mr Deepak also tries to promote
institutions and organisations like his father. He has promoted Bikaji
group extensively in Mumbai and out of India by going for major
expansion programmes. The agarwal family has recently set up Cardiac
treatment centre in PBM Hospital in Bikaner.

Mr. Magan Bissa

Born on December 8, 1954 Shri Magan Bissa, son of Late Sh. Panna
Lal Bissa, had done Masters in Commerce of Business Administration
from Univ. of Rajasthan, Jaipur. He has worked as Officer (Adventure
Programmes) inTATA Steel, Jamshedpur. He did his Basic
Mountaineering course from H.M.I. Darjeeling in 1978. And in the same
year finished Advanced Mountaineering course from same place. In
1979 he attended the IMF Advanced Climbing Camp held at Goumukh.
He did his basic Snow-Skiing and Water Skiing course at IIS&M
Gulmarg in 1983. Learned Sky-Diving in 1982, from Indian Sky Diving
Federation Agra. He was appointed as Liaison Officer with Spanish,
Japanese Expedition to Mt. Bathartoli, Meru Mt. Chaturangi in 1979-80.
In 1981 he was one of the member Japanese Rescue cum Search team
to Mt. Nandakhat to search seven missing person of Japan.
From 1979 to 1986 he remained Camp Leader, Establishment Officer
and Joint Director of National Himalayan Trekking Programme. He
leaded the very First Expedition from Rajasthan, named as Desert to
Snow, to Mt. Gangotri II and Mt. Rudragara in 1981. In 1982 he leaded
the team for Pre-Everest Expedition to Mt. Gangotri I. He participated in
Indian Everest Expedition to Mt Everest, opened route to South Co1,
reached South CI thrice reached upto 28,000 ft to support summit team
in1984. Leaded Mt. Deo Tibba Expedition from Rajasthan 1985.
Appointed Dy. Leader of Indo-Australian Expedition to Mt. Rimo
(Karakoram Range) and opened the tough technical route (max) in
1985. Participated in Indo-British Army Mt. Saser Kangri Expedition
(Karakoram Range) in 1987 and climbed the mountain directly from
advance base camp in single 8 Hours push with 6,000 Ft. lead. Leaded
Tata's Mt. ShriKailash Expedition in 1988. Explored as Climbing Leader
and Summiter Indo-Russian Mt. NandaDevi East Expedition 1991.
Presently he is President of Rajasthan Adventure Foundation and
Director of National Adventure Foundation (Rajasthan & Gujrat
Chapter).
His Address:
Chowkhunti Railway Crossing,
Gajner Road,
Bikaner
Phone: 0151+2523050
FOR PGPSE PARTICIPANTS – PGPSE IS A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

AFTERSCHOOOL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Awards honored to Shri Magan Bissa

SENA Medal by the President of India 1986
IMF Silver Medal 1985.
Rajasthan Meritorious Award 1987.
Rajasthan State JC's outstanding young person award 1991.
IMF Gold Medal 1993.
Youth Hostel Asso. Gold Medal 1995.
Maharana Pratap Sports award Rajasthan Goverenment 1998.
Bharat Gaurav award at National Adventure Festival- Chandigarh 2000.
Shri Mohammed Usman Arif
Born on 5th of April 1923 Shri Mohammed Usman Arif, was a born
legend on the land of Bikaner. Son of Haji Mohammed Abdullah Bedil,
Mohd. Arif did his graduation from Dungar College, Bikaner. Then he
joined Alligarh Muslim University from where he got his Master's Degree
and did his L.L.B. from the same University. In 1946 he was
accompanied by Shrimati Bhuri Begum, to whom he is married. He has
always been in front runners for promotion of command harmony,
secularism and national integration. He has organized public meetings
and Mushairas for propagating programme and policies of national
interest on National Days and festivals in particular. He has participated
in All India Musharaias organized by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Rajasthan Sahitya Academy And Rajasthan Anjuman-e-
Taraqqui-e-Urdu. He started his political career successfully when he
became President of 'A' Block Bikaner City Congress Committee, then
he was appointed Member of General Body of All India Anjuman-e-
Taraqqi-e-Urdu and then Vice President, Rajasthan Congress
Committee.
From the time of Congress split, he was nominated Chairman of House
Committee of Rajya Sabha in May-1976 and was re-nominated in June-
1977. After this he became incharge of Rajasthan Assembly Elections in
1980 and was also acting P.C.C. President. He had remained member
of Advisory Body of Nakhlistan (an Urdu Magazine of Rajasthan Sahitya
Academy). Remained member of Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqfs
since 1961, Central Waqf Council since 1976. He was member of
Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur since 1966, and of Executive
FOR PGPSE PARTICIPANTS – PGPSE IS A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AFTERSCHOOOL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Committee Adult Education Center Bikaner from 1966 to 1970. He
contributed a lot in religious sphere of life. He was chosen to be a part of
Rajasthan State Haj Committee, Bikaner from1966 to 1970. Also joined
P.C.C. in 1967 and simultaneously contributed his services as member
of Bikaner D.C.C. He then became member of Public Accounts
Committee from 1974 to 1976 and A.I.C.C. Deputy Whip of Congress
Party in Rajya Sabha upto June 1977 and was appointed Deputy
Minister in the Ministry of Works and Housing from 1980 to 1982. He
became Deputy Minister in Ministry of Agriculture and civil Supply from
1982 to 1983. From 1983 to 1984 he was again appointed Deputy
Minister in the Ministry of Works and Housing. He was re-elected to
Rajya Sabha in April 1976 and again April 1982. He added to his spree
of achievements by becoming Vice- President, Parliamentarian Urdu
Committee and Vice-President All India Anjuman Danishwaran, New
Delhi. He took the oath as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh on March 31,
1985. He had been at the echelon up to February 11, 1990.
Proclaiming all these accolades he not only became prodigy but made
Bikanerites feel proud. In 1971 he visited New York as a member of
Indian Delegation to 26th session of U.N. Genral Assembly. Went to
Saudi Arabia twice as a member of Indian Delegation for Haj.
Participated on 1974 in Baghdad in 11th Council Session of A.A.P.S.O.
He went to Moscow in 1974 and Saudi Arabia in 1984 as Leader of
Goodwill Mission Haj Delegation. Bikaner has proud on the legend and
will always follow the message given by him on humanism, national
integration, unity and patriotism.
FOR PGPSE PARTICIPANTS – PGPSE IS A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AFTERSCHOOOL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Shri H.C. Nahata

Shri. Harakh Chand Nahata (July 18, 1936 - February 21, 1999) was a
prominent Indian businessman and social entrepreneur. He was born on
18 July 1936 at Bikaner (Rajasthan), in an illustrious family. His uncle
Late Agar Chand Nahata and elder brother 'Sahitya Vachaspati' Shri
Bhanwar Lal Nahata were acknowledged authority on Prakrit literature,
Jain canonical literature and scriptures. His family's priceless private
collection of more than 85,000 books, manuscripts, works of arts etc. at
Abhay Jain Granthagar, Bikaner (Rajasthan) is unique. His family has
more than 175 years of business presence in the field of trading and
distribution in Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Calcutta, Tripura and
erstwhile East Bengal (now Bangladesh) Sh. Nahata after completing
his schooling at Bikaner and during college years in Calcutta, started his
career.Living a full and contented life, he breathed his last on 21
February, 1999 at New Delhi after a brief illness. An entrepreneur, who
wanted to tread uncharted path, he was the first person who started
road transportation in the difficult and inhabitable terrain of Tripura.
Handling the largest Railway Out agency in Tripura (Tripura Town out
Agency) and establishing a large network of road transport at heavy
costs and risks, he was instrumental in starting economic development
and two way traffic to bring economic gains for the tribal people and the
state of Tripura. He contributed a lot for the development of cinema in
Eastern India through his Technicians Studio. Calcutta, with which many
internationally acclaimed directors like Satyajit Ray, Hritwik Ghatak &
Basu Bhattacharya etc. were associated. Later, he turned a film
financier and Realtor and was known as an honest and upright person in
trade circles. Shri Harakh Chand Nahata encouraged many upcoming
artists of films and performing arts with his sanguine advice, help and
patronage. He was a great connoisseur of art and literature and secretly
helped many budding artists, poets and writers. He spotted talents of
writers and published many books at his own cost to encourage them
including a Hindi monthly magazine. He was a prolific reader with a
razor sharp analytical mind and compassioned heart.
For his multi faceted contributions to the trade and industry, he was
honored with awards by the Vice President of India and Lt. Governor of
Delhi. He was a leading social leader and philanthropist, who steadfastly
stood and fought for human dignity, equality and respect. Associated
with more than 60 socio-religious organizations and Trusts like Heart
FOR PGPSE PARTICIPANTS – PGPSE IS A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AFTERSCHOOOL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Care Foundation of India, Shanti Mandir-Bithari, Prakrit Bharati,
Rishabhdev Foundation, Veerayatan, Rajasthan Bharati, Shri Ambika
Niketan Trust, Ahimsa International, Shri Jain Mahasabha. Bharat Jain
Mahamandal, Vishwa Jain Parishad and many others in different
capacities, he relentlessly endeavored to attain their cherished goals.
From (1990 onwards) he was the President of Akhil Bhartiya Shree Jain
Shwetamber Khartargachha Mahasangh, the apex national
representative body of thousands of Jains of this sect. As President, he
fought to safeguard against many injustices and attacks on the rights,
dignity and conventions of the Samaj.
He wrote on many different subjects and was an orator par excellence,
who kept the audience spell bounded with his thought provoking
dissertations and mastery over the subjects. Though a Jain by birth, he
was an embodiment of Sarv Dharma Sambhav. Regardless of caste,
creed or religion, he respected each and every faith and contributed to
various temples and places of worship without any distinction. He was a
firm believer that religion is and should be a binding force and not a
divisive force. Compassion, tolerance, equality, dignity and love should
be the guiding and contributing spirit in religious affairs and to this end
he steadfastly worked at various levels and at different forums. Mr.
Nahata gave scholarships to needy students and encouraged them to
go for social entrepreneurship. His sons Lalit, Pradeep and Dileep are
following his path of humanism and social upliftment. They are playing
an important role in development of noble thoughts by thier
contributions.
Harakh Chand Nahata Marg

On March 1st 2007, famous Indian wrestler, actor and Member of
Parliament (India) (Rajya Sabha) Shri Dara Singh inaugurated "Harakh
Chand Nahata Marg (Road) " which interconnects three villages of
South-West Delhi, namely Nanakheri, Badusarai and Raghopur. In a
ceremony held on the auspicious occasion of 'Mahavir Jayanti' on March
31, 2007, accomplished actor, dancer and Member of Parliament (Rajya
Sabha) Smt. Hema Malini unveiled a statue of Shri Harakh Chand
Nahata at Mahabalipuram Teerth, Village Bhatti, New Delhi.
Indian Postage Stamp on Harakh Chand Nahata
Department of Posts, Govt. of India, released a commemorative
Postage Stamp of Rs. 5 denomination on Shri Harakh Chand Nahata on
Saturday, the 28th. February, 2009. The stamp was ceremonially
released at a function held at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Mumbai by His
Excellency Shri S. C. Jamir, Governor of Maharashtra.
The function was attended by a galaxy of eminent social leaders,
Industrialists, Businessmen, Artists, Litterateurs, family members and
persons from many walks of life including senior and leading members
of Khartargachha Mahasangh and Jain International Trade
Organisation, whose presence gave the function a rare grace and
dignity. Shri Nahata handled the largest Railway Out agency – Tripura
Town Out Agency and built roadways in the difficult terrain and
inhospitable area of Tripura. This resulted in economic development of
the area and two-way trafficking of goods, which significantly contributed
in the economic empowerment of the local tribals.
He also managed ‘Technicians Studio’ (formerly known as Kali Studios)
at Kolkata and in a path-breaking step, gave shares of the studio to the
technicians. Many internationally renowned directors produced their
highly acclaimed films at this Studio.
He made significant contributions to many social and religious
organisations, some of them being Heart Care Foundation of India,
Mimjhar,. Rajasthan Bharti, Prakrit Bharti Academy, Ahimsa
International, Rishabhdev Foundation, Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Jain
Mahasabha, Delhi, Vishwa Jain Parishad. His tenure as the National
President of Khartargachha Mahasangh was it’s golden period, when he
gave a distinct identity to it. He strived to further enrich family institutions
like the Abhay Jain Granthalaya, Bikaner (also known as Nahata
Library) and Jain Bhawan, Palitana (Gujrat).