Hans Raj: The Mahatma who founded chain of DAV institutions
DC Sharma
It is a matter of debate today that injustice is done to girls by not providing them an equal opportunity of education. Long ago, Hans Raj, who was born in the house of a moneylender of Bajawara in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in 1864, had attained the distinction of being a precursor of girl child education. At that time no one could have imagined that this frail-looking boy would not pursue his family's money lending business but become a top notch distinguished educationist. Had he wished, he could have amassed huge wealth but he decided to follow the noble path of spreading education.
Hans Raj could become so simply because he was a philanthropist to the core. His parents were taken aback when he founded the first DAV School in Lahore in 1886 spending money from his honest modest means and donations. He formed the DAV Educational Society three years after the death of his guru, Maharshi Dayananda. The kind act of bringing the bright light of education in the life of a girl child earned him the title of Mahatma. Much more work in the field of quality education was initiated that continues till date, and Mahatma Hans Raj is fondly remembered even today.
Maharishi Dayananda had two trusted and talented disciples, Lala Hans Raj and Lala Munshi Ram. Lala Hans Raj would not charge anything from students even when he was the principal of DAV College, Lahore—the first college he founded that after Partition shifted to Ambala. He was the one who started the chain of DAV institutions. Lala Munshi Ram became Swami Shardha Nanda and founded educational institutions such as Gurukul Kangri.
The way Hans Raj initiated the chain of DAV institutions was simply marvellous. He would not only work to enrol more students in the DAV institutions, but would also care to improve their personality and talent. That's why most of the people started shifting their children to DAV institutions. This was the basic reason why the chain of DAV institutions became long enough that today the DAV College Managing Committee, Chitra Gupta Road, New Delhi, is managing more than 669 flourishing educational institutions, including technical and professional colleges, across the country and abroad.
It was Hans Raj's mission and vision that the quality of education would always be their primary consideration. Women were too given equal rights in DAV institutions. Besides Vedic teachings, lessons on character building and moral values were given priority. This proved to be a morale booster for girls and they began to outshine boys in academics. This pleased Hans Raj a lot because he was not sure about his efforts bearing fruit. Today, thousands of students study in DAV institutions and a large of them have achieved heights in their life.
Hans Raj lost his father at the age of 12 and he was looked after by his elder brother who was then earning a small salary of Rs 40. After his father's death the money lending business didn't carry on for long and he along with his family shifted to Lahore. Hans Raj was admitted to a missionary school in Lahore where Hindus were frequently criticised for their pantheism, idol worship, and caste system. This was the most critical stage in the life of Hans Raj who would get upset at these insinuations. As the saying goes that when the clouds of sorrow dominate our life and surroundings, some divine help and guidance appears. Hans Raj came into contact with Swami Dayananda. The very first meeting with the Swami stirred his mind and soul and he realised that idol worship and the caste system were man-made.
Dayananda told him that going back to the Vedas was the only solution to silence the wanderings of life and the light of knowledge flashed across his troubled mind. It was the turning point in his life and he decided to open quality educational institutions after himself acquiring sufficient education and knowledge.
Hans Raj had passed BA with distinction and could have easily got a government job. But he preferred to dedicate his life to educating illiterate people who couldn't even go to government schools. So, he would take classes even on Sundays. He would take his students to the banks of the Ravi where he would inculcate in them the ideals of piety and patriotism. He used to wear khadi and his students too preferred that type of clothes. His simple living and high thinking earned him respect and affection of his students and their parents. Rich people started donating money to him and his efforts led to mushrooming of DAV institutions.
Hans Raj would inculcate the spirit of patriotism among his students and his family members as well. Even when his son Balraj was arrested, Hans Raj remained involved with his staff and students to serve and help earthquake and flood victims across the country. His life and achievements continue to inspire people associated with DAV institutions to keep working for the noble mission of removing darkness of ignorance from the lives of people by spreading education.
On the night of November 14, 1938, this great son of the soil breathed his last in Lahore. Thousands of people belonging to all communities had gathered to mourn and pay their last respects when his body was brought to DAV College. His was a large funeral procession that passed through the streets of Anarkali Bazaar and it became impossible to accommodate all mourners at the cremation ground on the banks of the Ravi. The next morning, newspapers reported that the sun of education in the east has set.
(The writer is former head of English Department, MCM DAV College, Kangra)
