Rai Bahadur Dwarka Das

Deeply religious minded R. B. Dwarka Das, eldest son of Lala Than Singh, was born at Nihtaur in district Bijnor (U. P.) in 1859. While dying L. Than Singh had instructed him to do daily exercise, not to borrow and to earn honestly which Sh. Dwarka Das had observed earnestly till the end of his life.

Having obtained his degree in engineering from Roorkee College he worked in engineering department in various districts of U. P. and at Calcutta. A very expert engineer of his time he was held in high esteems of his officers. He was honoured with the title of Rai Saheb in 1901 and later with the title of Rai Bahadur.

He provided scholarships to many students and created interest in study of Jainism in many of his Bengali friends by providing them Jain literature. Influenced by him many persons had give up drinking and non-vegetarianism for whole life. For several years he remained President of A. I. Digamber Jain Maha Sabha.

His religious minded son late Sh. Nand Kishore Jain served as Deputy Collector in Bihar and on retirement had come back to his native place Nihtaur where he devoted most of his time to reading and religious involvements.

He had two sons, Shri Chandra Kishore and Sh. Mahavir Kishore. Sh. Chandra Kishore a versatile stage director- actor wrote several dramas. His Vishkanya, a collection of one act plays, was very well received in the Hindi world. All the plays, particularly Vishkanya, appeared on radio several times.

He was a genius. Unfortunately he expired in an accident at Rampur in 1950 at the age of 38 years while serving as Head and Professor of Hindi Deptt. in Raza Degree College there. Shri Mahavir Kishore Jain takes keen interest in political and local social and educational activities.