Seth Achal Singh

Seth Achal Singh, M.P. is a veteran Con- gressite. He was born at Agra on 5th May, 1895 in a rich and religious minded Oswal Jain family and was educated at Agra and Agricultural Colleges at IMaini and Kanpur, An active participant in national movements, he suffered imprisonment for 6 months in Salt Satyagraha in 1930, for 18 months in Satyagraha of 1932, for 12 months in personal Satyagraha in 1940 and for 30 months in participating in Quit India Movement of 1942.

He was Vice-President of Agra Municipal Committee ; Vice-President of Agra City Congress Committee during 1918-30 and President of Agra City and Distt. Congress Committees during 1930-48. He was elected to U.P. Legislature in 1924, 1936 and 1946. He is Member of Lok Sabha contineously since 1952.

He established Achal Gram Sewa Sangh in 1928 for providing education and health facilities in villages and ‘Achal Trust’ in 1935 which is running a library and reading room in Achal Bhawan at Agra. He raised funds for various important causes. With his inspirations, his wife late Smt.

Bhagwati Devi Jain donated all her movable and immovable property of Rs. 2.5 lakhs and established Bhagwati Devi Jain Educational Society yyhich is running a College, a Secondary School, a Primary School and a Bal Mandir. He is President of this Society.

He has been President and Chairman of Reception Committees of various Trade and Industrial Organisations and Conferences. He is President of Agra Development Committee since 1954, President of A.I.S.S.

Conference since 1958 (except for certain breaks), All India Mahavir Jayanti Committee since 1953, Naitik Nagrik Sangh Agra since its establishment by him in 1964 and member of National Committee appointed for 2500th Nirwan Anniversary Celebrations of Bhagwan Mahavir.

He is Executive Committee Member of Agra University, Member, Board of Trustees of Agra College, Member of A.I.C.C., Vice-President of Virayatan and nominated member on various Committees of the U.P. and Central Govt. The President of India presented him a Commemoraration Volume at his 80th birthday celebration function held at New Delhi on 17th December, 1974.