Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 2: The 146th birth anniversary of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan, a great social reformer and thinker, was celebrated with great enthusiasm today by the members of Mahajan community.
In this regard, a grand function was organized by Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha at Lala Hans Raj Park, Gurdwara Sunder Singh road. On the occasion a Maha Yagya was performed and statues of Lala Hans Raj and L C Gupta another social activist were garlanded.
Large number of members of Mahajan community attended the function. After Puranahuti the prashad was also distributed among the people. The members of the community took a solemn pledge to carry forward the mission of Lala Ji who is popularly known as Sher-e-Duggar.
President of Mahajan Sabha, Vinod Gupta and its general secretary Chander Mohan Gupta highlighted the contributions of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan who was the founder of Central Mahajan Sabha, Dogra Sadar Sabha and Akhil Bharatiya Shiromani Mahajan Sabha.
They said the credit of formation of Rajput Sabha, Brahman Sabha and Anjuman -e-Islamia also goes to Lala Hans Raj which shows he believed in betterment of mankind irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
They said Lala Hans Raj was a crusader of a great cause and a man of principles who worked throughout his life for preventing child marriage, Sati Pratha and in support of widow marriage.
Besides he was instrumental in setting Ved Mandir- Ashram, Prince of Wales College, now GGM Science College and Iron Bridge over river Chenab, they said, adding he also played a major role in various movements such as Khadi wearing movement and promoting brotherhood among different communities.
Rich tributes were also paid to Lala Ji by chief patron of the Sabha. Later on at Sabzi Mandi the statue of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan was also garlanded and pooja was performed.
Prominent among others present included Romesh Gupta former president, Mahajan Sabha, Yash Paul Gupta, vice president, All India Shiromani Mahajan Sabha, Amar Chand Gupta, Manohar Lal, A V Gupta, Nand Lal Gupta, Pawan Gupta and Bimal Gupta.