IN MEMORIAM

My father always had close relationships with those destined to be highly spiritual. In India, one of his childhood friends, who referred to my father as "Brother", became a highly respected Jain Monk, Shri Sumti Muni Maharaj. When Guruji arrived, my father and mother, Nirmal Kanta Jain, felt an immediate devotion to him. From that day forward, they were committed to advancing Guruji's vision of establishing a Jain community on the West Coast, ideally modeled after Guruji's Siddhachalam in New Jersey. That vision had taken many forms from an Ashram in Long Beach, California, which Guruji visited and stayed often, to recoccuring programs at community members' residences to an Ashram location in Corona, California.

No matter where, or in what format, the Ashram took place, my father never lost faith in the mission to establish a West Coast Siddhachalam. All of this was due to his unwavering faith in Guruji. As Chairman and President of the Ashram, he worked tirelessly to encourage members to always be present and participate in the Ashram. Guruji's influence continues to be felt, even for those who have not physically met him. Fortunately, we have Guruji's recorded chanting to listen, embrace, and meditate regularly. It is my hope that we, as a community, in the next generations, feel and experience that same devotion in order to continue this legacy.

Although Mahendra was raised in a prosperous family, he faced arduous family (eldest of ten brothers) challenges at a young age. At just the age of 19, Mr. Daga took on the family's affairs and responsibility after his father became seriously ill. To cope with the financial constraints, Mahendra Daga, the eldest of 10 brothers, declined a job offer from the Indian Railways and took work as a teacher at high school in Agra with a meager salary of Rs 45 per month so he could provide care and education for his nine younger siblings at the same school he was working at. Mahendra home tutored many kids after school and taught for 16–18 hours a day, 7 days a week to shoulder the financial needs of the family, at a time when even the next meal was questionable.

Daga continued his studies and completed his Bachelors of Commerce and Education from Agra University, Masters from Delhi University, PhD in Finance from The International University of The Netherlands. After teaching for 25 years, he entered the gems business in 1968 and in due course, all his brothers joined him and he became an international dealer of color stones, diamonds and jewelry.

Besides his deep involvement in the service of humanity as well as supporting Indians engaged in various social, religious and welfare activities internationally, Mr. Daga is a devout follower of the Jain Saint, Late Acharya Sushil Muniji. Mahendra has played a key role in setting up Temples in the US and Thailand, such as Siddhachalam in USA, Jain Temple at Defence Colony in New Delhi and the new Jain Temple being constructed in Bangkok. He has also constructed 'Atithi Bhawan' (guest houses for pilgrims) at Barkheda near Jaipur and Padmendra Atithi Bhawan at Dadabari in Agra. Daga, being a firm believer of education and for his reverence for Late Sushil Muniji, contributed to the building of the Ahimsa University of Engineering in Delhi and donated to many educational institutions through his family trust.

He is deeply rooted in the Indian soil and always works for the rejuvenation of his cultural and religious values. Mr. Daga's staunch belief in optimism in all circumstances stands to serve as a vital source of inspiration and encouragement to all those who aspire to attain success in life through hard work and honesty.

Since 2003, Mr. Daga has been the President of Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the apex-level representative body of industry, trade export and mining in the state of Rajasthan which is well recognized as an eminent institution championing the cause of the individual businessmen and industries, with Dr. K.L. Jain as the Hony. Secretary General.

He has won numerous awards over the years (just to name a few):

• Citizen Award presented by Vice President of India Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
• Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 presented by Mrs. Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, India
• Dedicated service for the uplifting of Asians in America / human kind presented by the Governor of New Jersey, USA
• Man of the Year Award by the Governor of Florida in 1992 at the Indo-American Seminar
• Felicitated by HRH Arvind Singhji of Udaipur and Mrs. Vasundhra Raje, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan at RANA (Rajasthan Association of Northern America), New York
• Awarded the Samaj Ratan (Gem of the Society) in Agra, India
• Plaque of Merit by the Royal Princess of Thailand for his stellar works of keeping the Indian community in Thailand
• Honored at the Jaipur Pravasi Sangh in Mumbai
• Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Vaish Federation, Thailand Chapter
• Distinguished as "One of 30 Eminent Jains in the World"

Tauji had been unanimously voted as the president of the Jain Samaj in Bangkok and has contributed with time, efforts and finance in every aspect. He has always tried to encourage more inter-trade relations between India and Thailand. Mahendra Singh Daga has been awarded and applauded over the years by several Thai and Indian organisations for his contribution towards the growth of the Indian community in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mr. Daga has organized and supports many cultural and social events in Bangkok to keep the Indian culture alive amongst the growing community there. His efforts in arranging the Asian Religious Conference of the World Jain Congress in 1988 was greatly appreciated. Several professors and educators of Thailand had shown a keen interest in deeper studies in Jainism. It was the first event of its kind to be held outside of India. Daga contributes by sponsoring most major community events — be it cultural occasions, sporting events, religious celebrations, blood drives, or charitable galas.

His recent endeavour, even at the age of 92, in building a conference hall and hotel in the tourism industry shows how he is always ready to try new ventures and loves to explore other businesses and ideas.

In conclusion, Mr. Mahendra Singh Daga believes age is only a number and you are never too old to try and learn something new. Hard work, discipline and dedication in everything you do are some of the qualities he has lived by and inspired everyone around him with.