Importance of education – Lala Diwan Chand knew the importance of education, and curious for knowledge was incessantly engaged in discussion with seers. He gave a blank cheque to Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya for establishing Banaras Hindu University or(Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya) and from time to time continued contributing. Lalaji subscribed to the notion of economic inclusion and for developing the skills of the youth bequeathed a large sum of money towards industrial, technical and vocational based education scholarships for poor students. He stipulated that the scholarship holders be asked to execute an agreement in writing that they will refund the amount received by them so that the money could be reused in giving more scholarships and continuity is maintained with a greater number of students benefiting. In this also his guiding light was Swami Dayanand Saraswati who encouraged education and equal rights of men and women. Swamiji had introduced a complete overhaul of the education system and is often considered as one of the visionaries of modern India. The DAV (Dayanand Anglo Vedic) schools came into existence in 1886 to realize his vision.
Diwan Chand knows only how to give – Lala Diwan Chand was a highly benevolent man to whom philanthropy came naturally. Even when he was earning Rs.10 he would share it and on becoming wealthy he had no arrogance of his riches and became more open-handed.
Echoing his magnanimous nature is an incident when one day when Lalaji was resting in the porch of his large mansion. An unknown novice approached him and requested, “I need money to pursue my higher studies in the field of medicine in the USA”.
“ Don’t worry. You will go abroad.” Lalaji assured him and despite not knowing him, did not ask any questions or took a surety.
He went inside and came back with the money and handed it over to the youth saying “Beta, my ashirwaad (blessings) is with you.”
A few years later a well-dressed, stylish young man came and greeted him and asked, “Do you recognise me. Lalaji replied, “No I don’t ( nahin bhai)”.
The man said, “I am the same youngster whom you had given money to fund my higher education in the US. Thanks to you, today I am a successful doctor. Now I want to return the debt along with interest.”
Lalaji responded, “It gives me great joy to know you are successful. But Diwan Chand does not know how to take, he only gives! My best wishes were with you then, and also are with you now.”
A true friend – Lala Diwan Chand had an innate believe in the goodness of mankind. He had the special ability to make friends and those friendships often lasted a lifetime. He used to say “If you want to remain friends with someone for life, you need to accept your friend for who they are and not be judgemental”. A devoted friend, neither did he ever think ill of anyone nor wish ill to anyone. This was the reason he had a number of friends whom he treated them equally, whether peon or high ranking officer.
Lala Diwan Chand’s selfless nature is reflected in his bond with Lala Sri Ram, along with whom Lalaji was a majority shareholder in Delhi Cloth Mills (DCM). Initially a textile business when it opened its first mill in Delhi, Lalji’s focus was not only on earning profit, but also producing affordable cloth for the common person. His core values and work ethics reflected in the care & safety of his workers, which made them more engaged as they felt their concerns were being addressed. Resultantly not only was Lalaji a man of great fortunes, but also renowned as a large hearted and humane employer. Wanting to take full control of the DCM company Lala Sri Ram said, “You have no children to inherit your wealth, so please transfer your shares in DCM in my name.” Without hesitation Lala Diwan Chand transferred his shares and today DCM is one of India’s largest conglomerates with diverse activities ranging from Textiles, Sugar, Chemicals, Fertilizers, to Information Technology and Engineering.
Lala Diwan Chand’s friends included Hakim Ajmal Khan, a Unani physician popularly known as ‘Masih-ul-Mulk’ or ‘Healer of the Nation’ for his expertise in the field of Unani Tibb, or Greek Medicine and set up the Hakim Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College at Karol Bagh, Delhi; (link https://www.siasat.com/hakim-ajmal-khan-was-the-president-of-congress-muslim-league-and-khilafat-committee-2058332/ ) Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari physician, nationalist, symbol of hindu-muslim unity and one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia University (link https://www.heritagetimes.in/mukhtar-ansari/) Ram Gopal Shawlwale(linkhttp://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/1972.htm ) and Babu Jagjivan Ram freedom fighter and crusader for social justice who hid under the bed in Diwan Niwas to escape being discovered by the British. (link http://jagjivanramfoundation.nic.in/)
