SHRI MAHABIR PERSHAD JAIN

(1877-10-6-1957)

Born at Delhi late Sh. Mahabir Pershad Jain Thekedar was held in high esteems in social and business circles for his selfless and outstanding services.After having served as Cashier in Terminal Tax Department of Delhi Municipal Com-EMINENT JAINS OF THE PAST 45 mittee for many years he embarked upon contracts business in 1904.

Alongwith it, he set up Mahabir Pershad & Sons in Chawri Bazar in 1912, a leading firm dealing in building material. For many years he was Treasurer Contractor of Punjab National Bank, Bharat Bank and Nath Bank. He was blessed with five sons and six daughters.

He had an ideal social life. In memory of his father Shri Banarsi Das, he alongwith L. Rattan Lai Madipuria and Shri Kundan Lai Madipuria established Thakur Das Banarsi Das Charitable Trust which provides financial assistance to widows, needy and poor and donations to charitable institutions.

He also set up Mahabir Pershad Jain Charitable Trust on 31st March, 1954 which provides educational scholarships and financial assistance to the poor. He was keenly interested in publications and free distribution of religious books.

He was one of the main persons to bring to Delhi around 1930 the Sangh of Acharya Shanti Sagar Ji. Alongwith the family he had visited most of the pilgrim places several times. He held senior positions in Dig. Jain Sangh, Chaurasi (Mathura), Rishab Braham- charyashram Chaurasi (Mathura), Dig. Jain Mahasabha etc. For about 25 years he was President of Jain Mittra Mandai.

He was Panch of Prachin Shri Agarwal Dig. Jain Panchayat and influential President of Jain Shiksha Board, Kucha Seth and established a Nursery School under it. He served Jain Society for Protection of Orphans as General Secretary and Vice-President. He was a founder-member of Jain Prem Sabha, Delhi and Vice-President of Ram Lila Committee.