SHRI CHANDMAL SARAOGI PANDYA

SHRI CHANDMAL SARAOGI PANDYA
(3-1-1912—18-12-1974)

A foremost industrialist and businessman of Assam, deeply religious minded Shri Chandmal Saraogi was born at Lalgarh (Rajasthan). After matriculation from Calcutta in 1930 he joined there M/s. Saligram Rai Chunni Lai Bahadur and Co. For reasons of his extraordinary business intelligence within few years time he became its Managing Partner and Manager of Gauhati Division.

He was Hon. Magistrate. The British Government had honoured him with Coronation and Silver Jubilee Medals and title of Rai Saheb.Nationalist in views, Shri Saraogi had surrendered all British honours on 11th August, 1947. He had provided substantial funds to Congress during national movements. In 1934, he had organised mass relief work for flood victims of Nogaon.

He had active contribution in the establishment of Gauhati University, Congress Bhawans at important towns of Assam, Dr. B, Barua Cancer Institute, Gauhati, Leprosy Hospital, T. B. Hospital, Shillong, Vanasthali Vidyapith (Rajasthan), Gurukul at Kambhoj, Bardrawa Memorial Society, Nogaon, Mirza College, Boko College, Mangal Dai College etc. and several schools at various places.

He was President of Dig. Jain Maha Sabha, Senior Vice-President of A. I. Dig. Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirwan Mahotsava Society, Member of the Committee appointed by the Central and Bihar Governments and Executive-Chairman of Assam State Committee appointed for this purpose. He was life Patron of many institutions.

He had donated generously for construction of Jain temples and Manstambhas including 61 feet high Manstambh at Shri Mahavirji, to a large number of institutions and for help to widwos and poor and needy students.Blessed with 3 sons and 5 daughters, Shri Saraogi and his wife lived a deeply religious life devoting their time to the service of Jain saints. Two of his sons have visited Japan and other foreign countries. He had been honoured with the titles of Jain Ratna, Dharamvir, Danvir, Shravak Shiromani, Acharya Sangh Bhakta Diwakar, Guru Bhakta Shiromani, etc. for his devoted services in various fields.