As on May 1, 2008

Shri DR Shah was born on August 14, 1922 in district Sargodha (now in Pakistan). He along with his family migrated to India in 1947 after partition of the country. He started a small factory at Jhandewalan road, Nabi Karim, Delhi.

Shri Shah belongs to a family of patriots. He has played active role in mitigating the sufferings of the displaced and has contributed towards their rehabilitation. During Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, Shri DR Shah lent his services for the welfare of the jawans and their families and also mobilized fund collection for national defence. During 1974, when communal violence broke out in Sadar Bazar Kishan Ganj area, he played a significant role in ending the communal disturbance and establishment of peace and harmony. He also rendered great help in curbing the communal riots in November 1984 in Punjabi Bagh area of New Delhi and also worked towards the rehabilitation of the uprooted families.

Shri Shah came in contact with Dr. Des Raj Ji, one of the founder members of the Sant Nirankari Mission, whose clinic was in front of Shri Shah’s factory at Jhandewalan Road, New Delhi. Dr. Des Raj Ji always discussed Brahm Gyan (God-knowledge) with Shri Shah. Shri Shah was deeply impressed with the personality and saintly life of Dr. Des Raj Ji. He, along with his father, Lala Kanshi Ram Shah, received Brahm Gyan from Baba Avtar Singh Ji and became the followers of the Sant Nirankari Mission. Before partition of the country, Shri Shah and his father used to go to Gurdwara daily for ‘Path’.  Now Shri Shah started attending the Sangat daily at Paharganj, New Delhi. His family and a number of relatives also became the followers of the Mission.

At that time, in Motia Khan, Paharganj, the Sangat was normally held in the august presence of Baba Avtar Singh Ji. The number of devotees was very small. Due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Des Raj Ji and Shri Shah the size of the gathering increased gradually.

With the blessings of Baba Ji, Shri Shah’s faith in the word of the True Master strengthened day by day. His business flourished too.

In view of significant social services rendered by Shri Shah Ji, he was nominated   as a member of Telephone Advisory Committee for Delhi in 1974, a position which he continues to hold till date. Shri Shah became Member of the Mayor-in-Council during 1971-75 (MCD) and of DDA Committee for checks on encroachment on Public lands during 1975-77.  Shri Shah continues to be a renowned social worker, who is closely associated with several social, cultural and welfare organizations in Delhi. With Shri Shah's efforts, several leaders like Smt Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, the President of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha and many other VVIPs felt motivated and attended the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagams from time to time.

Shri Shah, from the very beginning, took deep interest in the growth and activities of the Mission. Wherever need arose, he has played a vital role in sorting out any issues confronting the Sant Nirankari Mandal. One day, Baba Avtar Singh Ji, in his discourse expressed the need of a school for the poor and down trodden people of the area since there was no such school in the area. It was decided to open a primary school in a makeshift structure, which eventually made tremendous progress. It was recognized as an aided school and currently it is one of the best schools in Delhi with a good number of students. This school, imparting quality education up to Senior Secondary level is now based in a magnificent building. Shri Shah Ji was the chairman of Senior Secondary School, Paharganj and Sant Nirankari Public School Paharganj from 1992-1997.

In view of his contribution in all spheres of life, be it social, educational or professional, Shri Shah was awarded “PADAMSHRI” by the President of India in January 1991.Due to his contribution in the field of education, Shri Shah Ji was made General Secretary in the Managing Committee of the Nirankari Baba Gurbachan Singh Memorial College Sohna, Distt. Gurgaon (Haryana) during 1977-80.  He was made President of Delhi Housing Cooperative Society Ltd., New Delhi which developed a well planned Colony named Avtar Enclave, in Paschim Vihar, New Delhi. With Shri Shah’s efforts, the Government for this colony allotted additional land of around 13 acres adding on the initially allotted around 7acres for this to be developed colony. The lay out plan was prepared by Shri Khem Raj Chadha and Shri Kartar Singh Ji.  Now Avtar Enclave, is one of the well known colonies, with a spacious Satsang Bhawan.  A public School, run by the Sant Nirankari Mission is also functioning there.

Shri Shah Ji was blessed by Baba Avtar Singh Ji and, in recognition of his valuable services to the Mission, he was granted permission to impart Brahm Gyan, which is a great honour and distinction for a devotee.

Shri Shah was nominated as a Member of the All India Working Committee of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in 1980. He was nominated a Member of the Executive Member of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in 1997 and made Member In charge Education (Public Schools).  Lot of progress made in streamlining the functioning of these Schools both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The schools continue to impart to the students quality education while building their moral character with spiritual knowledge, by utilising the best possible infrastructure.

Shri D.R. Shah, along with Dr. Des Raj Ji, Shri Kapila Ji, Shri J.S. Chugh, Bhai Ram Saran Dass Ji took keen interest in the development of Sant Nirankari Colony, where the Sant Nirankari Mission's headquarters were established after shifting from Paharganj. Initially there were no civic amenities like water, electricity, transport, pucca Road etc.  But as a result of the untiring efforts of Shri Shah and his other teammates, the Sant Nirankari Colony is currently one of the best colonies in this area.

Shri D.R. Shah relinquished the charge of Public Schools and became the Vice-President of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in May, 2005.  He continues to hold the responsibility till date.  As and when entrusted, he does liaison work with the Government of India, DDA and MCD.  

Shri Shah is holding many prestigious positions. For example, he is the President of Oil Mills Association (Regd) Delhi and is the Chairman of Shah International Public School Ambica Vihar, New Delhi.  He is also a member of Oil & Fats Sub-Committee of Central Committee for food Standards (Ministry of Health & Family welfare), New Delhi.

Shri Shah’s faith in Satguru grew so much that he never thought of doing any work without seeking blessings of NIRANKARI BABA Ji. In 1954, Shri Shah constructed his own bungalow, named Shah Bhawan located at Chameleon Road, Model Basti, which was inaugurated by Baba Avtar Singh Ji. In 1964, New Nirankari Oil & General Mill was set up in Tilak Nagar Industrial Area, which was again inaugurated by Baba Avtar Singh Ji and Shri V. Vishwanath, the then Chief Commissioner of Delhi. In 1972, Nirankari Oil Mill was set up at Lawrance Road, which was inaugurated by Nirankari Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the then Food Minister Government of India.  In 1974, a big bungalow was constructed by him in Punjabi Bagh, which was inaugurated by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, President of India.

In 1976 Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, in the presence of the President of India, Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, solemnized Shri Shah’s daughter's marriage.  In 1978, Shri Shah started another Oil Mill near Britannia Biscuit Factory by the name of Nirankari Flour & Vegetable Oil Industry Private Limited.  Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji visited this factory and blessed him. In 1981, a multi storied shopping complex, by the name of Jamna House located at Padam Singh Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi was inaugurated by His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. In 1985-86, a commercial complex, by the name of Kanshi Ram House located at Lawrance Road, was built by him and was inaugurated by Baba Hardev Singh Ji & Ms Kamal Behn Joshi, Minister of Food & Health. In 1995, Shri Shah opened on his own, a senior secondary school by the name of Shah International Public School in Ambica Vihar, New Delhi. This school, which is one of the best schools in West Delhi, was inaugurated by Baba Hardev Singh Ji along with  Shri Shiv Raj Patil, the then  Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Currently Shri Shah is devoting his time & energy in pursuing the goals of the Mission.

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