Members Bioprofile

SHASTRI, SWAMI RAMANAND, Shastri. Acharya (Darshan) (Cong.) U.P. Bijnor (Res. Sch. Castes)—1971, Son of Shri Kanji Bhakt; b. at Dhaulaba, Distt. Ahmedabad, February 7, 1908; renounced the world in 1930; religious and social missionary; Agriculturist; Member, (i) All India Dalit Varg Sangh, since 1953; (2) Indian Harijan Welfare Board for the last six years; Mahant, Ravidas Mandir, Balawali, Distt. Bijnor; President, U.P. Dalit Varg Sangh, 1950-55; President and Founder, Bharatiya Ravidas Seva Sangh, Hardwar; Life President and Founder, Uttar Railway Class IV and Gangmen Association; President, Northern Railway Union; Patron, All India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees’ Association; Secretary, Gandhi Harijan Dharmshala Nirman Trust, Jwalapur; Member, Provisional Parliament, First Lok Sabha, 1952-57; Second Lok Sabha, 1957-62, Third Lok Sabha, 1962-67 and Fourth Lok Sabha, 1967-70.

Social activities.—Built Gandhi Harijan Dharmshala at Hardwar; took leading part in establishment of U.P. Harijan Welfare Department; organised U.P. Shramik Sangh; renovated Ravidas Mandir, Balawali; established Harijan Bastis and Goshalas at various places in Bijnor: and Saharanpur Districts; established several schools, boarding houses, reading rooms, libraries and hospitals for the poor.

For his social services, he was presented Abhinandan Granth on March 19, 1970 under the auspices of Swami Rama Nand Shasiri Abhinandan Samiti, Bijnor.

Hobbies.—Prayer and meditation.

Favourite pastime and recreation.—Devotional songs and satsang.

Special interests.—Religious pursuits, philosophy, public service, Arya Samaj work and uplift of the poor.

Publication.—”Sant Ravi Das aur Kavya.”

Travels abroad.—Nepal.

Permanent address.—(1) Lok Seva Ashram, Dewa Road, Barabanki (2) Ravi Das Mandi, Bala Wall, Uttar Pradesh.