Prominent social figure late Shri Ratan Lai Jain hailed from a business family which had considerable property in Arab-ki-Sarai, Delhi. Shri Bishamber Nath Jain, his father, who was in Police service, died at the young age of 24 while Sh. Ratan Lai was only 2 years old.
He was brought up by his grand-father Sh. Mangal Sain Jain. After settling at Delhi, from Arab-ki-Sarai, he got training in electrical trade under the expert guidance of his brother- in-law Sh. Paras Dass Jain who had a flouris- ing business of electrical goods and was a reputed social worker. He was for some time a partner in General Electric Trading Company and established his own Commercial Electric Works in 1930 which gave him good divedends. This firm is now looked after by his sons Sh. Chakresh Kumar & Sh. Rishabh Kumar Jain. He came into limelight after Panch Kalyanak of Jain temple in Balashram Dayaganj in 1943, which he organised in his personal capacity. At the occasion of Ahardan in the Panch Kalyanak ceremonies he donated Rs. 31000/- and created ‘Sardari Mai Ratan Lai Jain Trust. This trust constructed Manstambh and Piau in Lai Jain Mandir.
He established Jain Satsang Society in 1938. This society renders help to the widows, destitutes and helpless women etc. He was its founder President throughout his life. This society organised and collected funds for a Panch Kalyanak Mahotsava of Sahastrakut Chaityalaya situated in Jain Mandir, Dharam- pura in 1960.
He was actively associated with Charity Birds Hospital and was President of its Managing Committee. This hospital in the new building in Jain Lai Mandir would have never achieved its present place of pride without his initiative and perseverence.
He was associated with a number of social and educational institutions. He was Vice- President of Managing Committee of Prachin Shri Aggarwal Digamber Jain Panchayat which looks after management of Digamber Jain temples. He was General Manager of Jain Higher Secondary School, Daryaganj, Delhi.
For his deeds he was known as “Danveer” and “Dharamveer” of Delhi Jain Samaj.
Residence : 3 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Delhi-6.