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but Fatehchand had decided to dedicate his life to the service of Saraswati-the goddess of learning and for the good of the society. As a teacher, his salary was Rs. 10 per month, but soon he became famous as a very great learned man and he could earn Rs. 300 per month by way of tutions and other services. He could not live very freely.
He had a daughter named Ujam and she was married at Sihor town. Ujam, however, died shortly and Monghibai, her mother was deeply pained of this ultimately death. Worldly pleasures did not attrack him. He was deeply interested in religious literature and at that age of 39 he proposed to observe total celibacy with his wife Monghibai, which she accepted with pleasure.
Pandit Lalan Abroad:
Born a teacher and educationist, vast reading, attractive speech, a celibate, knowing many languages, ability to explain his own views, power to make a dull subject very interesting and an effective orator, he became popular among the people of all walks of life. Shri Veerchand Gandhi had gone to Chicago as a representative of the Jain Religion at the most famous world Religion Conference and Shri Fatehchand Lalan had also gone there within a week. He stayed in America for about four and a half years. He imparted knowledge of Indian culture and main principles of Jainism to the Indians and Americans during his stay there. He established institution named Mahavir Brotherhood. Shri Warron, J.L. Jaini, Alexander Gorden and other prominent persons co-operated with him. This institute published several books written by Pandit Lalan. Again in 1936 AD, at the age of 79, Pandit Lalan attended All Religion Conference held at London as a representative of Acharya Shri VijayVallabh Sooriji. He stayed therefore about seven months and propagated Jainism as well as Yoga in England and other European countries.
Contribution of Knowledge to Mother-Land:
On his return from America, Pandit Lalan stayed for months together at Nagalpur near Kutchh Koday and many villages of Saurashtra. He taught Yoga and Jainism to the people of this region. He stressed upon the practice of Samayik (religions rite of meditation), love towards all living beings in the world, to live a truthful and honest life, dedication for the service of society, need of simplicity for successful human life, sympathetic nature, need for high thinking. People from all walks of life including children, young, old, rich, poor, women, learned, ignorant from all castes and religions took advantage of his learning.
He used to go to deliver lectures on religion in various regions of the country and several meetings were arranged at Mumbai, Hoobli, Gadag. Jamnagar, Songadh, Palitana, Ahmedabad, Agas, Vadva (Khambhat), Sangli etc. His wife died in 1918 AD and he stayed for sometime in Lalan Niketan at Madhala, but he mainly resided in Ahmedabad and villages of Saurashtra, especially around Jamnagar. He spent his last days with Parvatiben. Even though he could not see well with his eyes, he carried on his activities by intuition. He breathed his last on December 7, 1953 while praying Panch Parameshthi. He lived a long life of 96 years. To prayer meeting and, Atthai celebrations were held in Jamnagar.
Some Important Events:
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