Comtemporary Jain Legends

SR No.: 007736
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 183
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, N000, & N025
File Size: 1 MB

Page 154

31. Dr. Kamtaprasad Jain
Dr. Kamtaprasad Jain has been a great persona in the service of the society; he was highly learned and successful editor of many great books. He expanded the religion of non-violence in India and many foreign countries through world Jain mission. Whole of his life was devoted to the religion and service to the society. He was always eager to expand the principles of non-violence and piety of Jainism throughout the world. He has propagated Jainism in the world through literature and thereby earned deep reverence from the Jain community.
Birth and Childhood:
Dr. Kamtaprasadji was born on 3 May 1901 at Camp Belapur (now in Pakistan). His father Lala Pragdas and mother Bhagwatidevi had poured religious fervor in him from his childhood. He received best teachings from his mother as did Shivaji and Gandhiji. His childhood was passed in Hyderabad (Sindh) and it was here that he received his school-education. He had acquired knowledge of Hindi; Sanskrit, Urdu and Sindhi languages through private teacher and this helped him in his literary and cultural activities in later life. He started writing articles on various subjects from his age of eighteen years. He obtained school education up to standard ninth only and had not done even matriculation and yet he could obtain extensive knowledge in several subjects by his hard labor, right impressions and studious nature. He became a sea of knowledge by his own efforts and intuition.
Family Life:
Dr. Kamtaprasad Jain married twice. His first marriage was in very early age but the wife expired unexpectedly. His father pressed him for second marriage and submitting his wishes, he married for the second time at the age of 23. He had three children by this marriage, the son Virendra and daughters Sarojini and Suman. The other children died in their childhood. His father was a Bankercontractor in army-wing. He had his branches at Peshawar, Ravalpindi, Hyderabad etc and Kamtaprasad also joined in this firm in 1920. The Indian bankers were removed from the defense forces in 1930 and had worked as land-broker for some years. His health worsened later and he expired on May 20, 1948.
Kamtaprasadji established himself at Aliganj (Uttar Pradesh-India) from 1931 and started working for social services. He was appointed as honorary magistrate from 1931 to 1949 and was taken up as Assistant Collector in 1943 where he worked up to 1948. Even while working on such high positions, he continued to work for the society honestly and sincerely. The common people praised him very much for his dedicated services. He was president and secretary of several committees and celebrations and his works in these fields indicate his eagerness to work for the society and common people.
National and International Honors:
Dr. Kamtaprasad had received special honors from national and international institutions:
• Gold medal for his essay on Lord Mahavir from Yashovijayaji Jain Granthmala.
· Silver medal for his essay on Hindi Literature from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Degree of LL.D. by the Jain Academy established by Barrister Shri Champatray Jain in its Conference at Karachi held in 1942.
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Degree of Ph.D. for his comparative study of all religions by the Christian International Penmenical Church of Canada.
Degree of Sahitya Manishi by the Sanskrit Parishad of Benaras
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