Rajmani Jain

The only daughter of a Jain barrister in British India, Rajmani had a turbulent childhood. When her mother died, she was moved to her aunt's care, away from her father and brothers. But fate wasn't done.

Rajmani's father converted to Islam, with his sons, in order to marry a Muslim. And then chose to move to Pakistan with his family. What about the daughter being raised by her mother's family? And following a gentle faith that asked she be unselfish, and not kill even creepy, crawly bugs.

Torn between the two families she loved, Rajmani had to choose one. At the court hearing on custody, the judge asked where she wished to live. Her answer: India. And so it's Indian children who have known her teaching.

When her disabled daughter was kept at the Cheshire Home in Delhi, Rajmani volunteered to care for the children at night. She found the night staff careless, sleeping while children cried. Rajmani removed urine-soaked bedclothes and crooned to them. Her Jain faith's ancient philosophy may have made her the perfect advocate for the helpless. She spoke gently with the staff, winning them to her way.

Generous with her resources, Rajmani asked those she helped to improve their skills. She and her husband visited the home of anyone who asked for money. After talking to the family, they suggested ways to improve conditions. Sometimes it took as little as the cost of a large basket and one load of fruit that a man sold on the streets. At other times they paid the first month's rent for a shop and equipment.

And life showed Rajmani that the best of us are sometimes in a crunch. If people in immediate need of care arrive without ready cash at one Delhi hospital, they are admitted. Their admittance fees are drawn from a trust Rajmani set up. Patients reimburse the hospital when they leave.

In her eighties now, Rajmani makes sure that residents at the Home For The Aged outside Delhi are cared for. She pays for village women to come in and make sure that the forgetful elderly are bathed and have clean clothes.

Because poverty keeps girls working away from school, a teacher holds classes each evening on the veranda of the Home For The Aged. Rajmani pays for the teacher, books, pencils, and sweet treats to reward the rural children. She explains to mothers why they must educate their daughters.

« You don't need to keep trying to have a son. What can a girl not do today? She can lead the country if she wants. But only if she can read and write. »

She hopes to have a permanent building where children will find after-hours schooling. "Rajmani" means "crowning jewel".

Other heroes

Bryan Clark, Australian teacher

John Clark, American philosopher

Fà'iz El-Ghusein, Damascan historian

Ranjoor Singh, Sikh leader

Contact

I'm available at frontender[AT]veeryani[DOT]com. Replace the brackets, and words in them, with the usual symbols.

VEERYANI: little-known, unsung heroes and heroines

[veeryani: language Sanskrit, meaning heroic deeds; from the word veer for brave, courageous, hero.]