| LEADER OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT |
| Lalita Prasad Akhtar |
| Lalita Prasad Akhtar was amongst the founders of Congress in Saharanpur. He
was born at Malana village in Ambala in 1900. His family migrated to Saharanpur when he was just one
year old. He had great faith in religion. He did not care to pursue studies after finishing eighth
standard and decided to go for public welfare activities. He started Phulwari Ashram for the
physical development of youth. He was responsible for Veer Pooja fair. He was inspired by the call
of Gandhiji and founded Congress Sewa Dal in 1920, for social uplift and removal of untouchability.
He possessed and attractive personality and was a very confident and determined man. He was a fear
less soul and was truthful and honest. |
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| Babu Surajbhan Vakil |
| Babu Suraj Bhan was born in 1870 at Nakur. In 1887 he succeeded in the
examination of lower subordinate pleader. He practiced for one year at Saharanpur and then
shifted to Deoband where he remained busy with his job till 1914. He was deeply influenced by
Mukund Raj Ji and Chunni Lal Ji who were doing great services for Jain Samaaj. In 1892-93,
Babuji started "Jain Hitopdesh" a monthly magazine. He was appointed as the first editor of
Jain Gazete. In 1914, Babuji renounced his practice and devoted himself for social service.
He was always progressive in his views and worked selflessly. He was awakened the national
consciousness amongst the Jains of the district. |
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| Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani |
Maulana Madni was born in Bagarmau(Unnao) in 1877. The name of his father
was Maulvi Habibullah, Who was a religious man. He was associated with the Walliullah movement. He
sent Madni to Deoband when he was 12. This young boy attracted the attention of Mamud Hasan, The
principal. This attention was suitable reciprocated by Madni, Who became an ardent of his teacher.
He studied at Deoband for 7 years. His father left for Makka and Madni accompanied him. There he
met Imdadullah and after some time the family left for Madina, and Madni opted to be a teacher.
The days were passed extreme poverty and Madni decided to get back to India. He served his teacher
Mahmood Ul Hassan with devotion from 1915-20. After the death of Mahmood Ul Hassan, Madni took the
responsibility on his shoulders. He laid the Muslims in the Non-corporation Movement. |
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| Jyoti Prasad Jain |
Babu Jyoti Prasadf Jain was born in 1882 at Deoband. He was just 7 years old
when his father Lala Nathumal died. At the age of five, He went to the school. He was a labourious
student. He came in contact with Jain Social Reformer, Babu Surajbhan Vakil who got him a job in
the press. He became interested in social service. At a time when the dawn of twentieth century was
approaching the condition of Indian society was miserable. On one hand the repressive wheel of the
British was in full swing and on the other the social superstitious were playing havoc with
innocent Indians. Jain Samaaj was no exception and the evil were interwoven intrinsically. He
understood very well the power of pen and paper and statrted editing "Jain Pracharak" in 1908 it
was followed by Nari Hitkari in 1910 and Jain Pradeep in 1912. He was a poet by aptitude and made
full use of his potential. His hard-hitting attacked on social evils and human weakness was widely
acclaimed. He was a master of lucid style that was easy for a lemon to understand. In the freedom
struggle his views were always nationalist and he denounced the foreign rule in his articles. A
distinguished citizen and highly respected person in Jain Samaaj, He did not get this respect
in legacy but earned it by his hard work. He was not a man but an institution as he became
source of inspiration for up-coming writers and Journalists. |
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| AFTER INDEPENDENCE |
| Bajoria Family |
Among the prominent diginitaries of Saharanpur figures the name of Bajoria. This
family originated from a very small village called Bajor in Rajasthan. Even today this family is
remembered by the names of highly able and reputed industrialist - Seth Baljoria and Shri Shankar
Bajoria. |
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A true symbol of sincerity, dedication and confidence Shri Baldev Das Baljoria
was the eldest among the four sons of Rai Bahdur Seth Ram Das. He was born on 22nd April 1893 in
Calcutta and after some initialeducation he became actively involved in business at very tender age.
At that time (1880) Bajoria family used to supply "Bhabhad grass which is available in plenty around
Saharanpur, to the Titagarh paper mill. |
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Seth Baldev Dasjii laid the foundation of Star paper mill in Saharanpur on 27
April 1937 and it was inaugrated by the then English Governor Sir Hary Haig on 15 Oct 1938. This
development provided a special status to Saharanpur in the industrial map of UP. In addition to
ensuring adequate developement and extension of this Industry a large area of land which was
available in front of the Star Paper Mills was donated for establishing the Institutes for paper
Technology. Hence Bajoria family has been a major contribution in the establishment of IPT too. |
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Apart from being farsighted and outspoken Shri Baldev das Barjoria was an extra
ordinary source of inspiration for the new generation. After attaining tremendous success in his
life he died at the age of 50 on 24 May 1943. |
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Shri Baldev Dass Ji had three sons (known later as Bajoria brothers) late Shri
Nandkishore Bajoria, Late Shri Badri Prasad Bajoria and Shri ShivShankar Bajoria. Bajoria brothers,
two, contributed a lot for the welfare of the people of Saharanpur. Shri Baldev Dass Bajoria Inter
College, Seth Baldev Dass Bajoria District Hospital, Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Later on named as
Shrimati Kamla Devi Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Bajoria Sanatan Dharam sankirtan Bhawan, Gandhi
centenary Kamla Devi Bajoria Memorial Ganna Eye Hospital are some of the great contributions of
Bajoria brothers. Apart from these Bajoria brothers have also constituted a large number of
Dharamshalas and cultural institutions. |
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| Dr. Ramnarain Bagle |
Dr. Ramnarain Bagle has been another great personality of Saharanpur who was
known for his shared dedication and selfless service in the field of medical sciences. No other
Doctor in this District/Region has been able to achieve the heights, fame and confidence of the
people as attained by Dr. Bagle who lived in his residence at Ambala Road of the city. People from
all over the country visited him for the cure of their health problems. Apart from medical sciences
he had great faith and interest in Indian philosophy and culture. His thinking was highly influenced
by the teachings of Jagad Guru Shankaracharya. He preached for maintaining an ideal balance between
spiritual, mental and physical health. Dr. Bagle was honoured with the prestigious Padam Shree Award
in 1997. |
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| Dr. Bhikan Lal Atreya |
Dr. Bhikan Lal Atrey was another significant figure of district Saharanpur. He
did D.Litt. from Kashi Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya. He traveled to many countries to speak on Indian
philosophy and culture and represented India in many conferences. Dr. Atrey attained great honours
the most prestigious among them the Padam Bhushan in 1957. |
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| Dr.Budh Prakash |
Dr. Budh Prakash was another famous personality who was equally blessed with
both intellect and wealth. He wrote about Indian and World History. He wrote about 250 research
papers for various journals. He was special Magistrate from 1952 to 1965. |
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| Dr. S.C. Jain |
Dr. S.C.Jain is yet another great personality who highlighted the name of
Saharanpur in the scientific field. He has obtained great fame in the field of solid state physics
and has published more than 150 research papers in reputed international scientific journals. He has
been associated with various international laboratories in US, Russia, Japan, and Europe. He was
honoured with the prestigious Bhatnagar Award in 1966. |
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| Other Personalities |
Among the other famous personalities are Dr. Satyaketu Vidhyalankar, Acharya
Kisshoridas Bajpai, Shri Jugalkisore Mukhtar "Yugvir" Babu Jyoti Prasad was a very famous social
worker from Deoband Dr. Kanhaiya Lal Mishra "Prabhakar" was born in Deoband. He has been one of the
prominent figure of Hindi Literature and Journalism Lala Jambu Prasad established J.V. Jain (P.G.)
college. Babu Maharaj Singh established the Maharaj Singh college, Dr. Munna Lal established the
MLJNK College for girls. All these three institutions are the premium institutions for higher
education in Saharanpur. |
