This web site is an effort to let people know the story of unsung Hero of our community R.K. Chaturvedi, an ordinary person performing extra ordinary acts of courage, conviction, devotion, generosity and humanity to help others- improve and change lives for the better. The kind of hero we might each aspire to be. The kind of heros who are the very foundation of the good society we aspire to create. Early stages of life R.K. Chaturvedi was born in the village Kacchpura (Tehsil-Bah) of Historical District of Agra on 19th November 1919 as the eldest son of Late Shri Bhagwan Dass who was possessing an inspiring personality of simple living and high thinking. Though Sri Bhagwan Dass was not highly educated-he was a brilliant scholar who learned various languages like Sanskrit, Urdu, English, Arabic and Pharsi  beside Hindi for the sake of knowledge. Shri Bhagwan Dass devoted a substantial amount of time in reading religious books of Sanatan Dharm in various languages. He was a master in Gita and Ramayan and could sung whole of the Gita and most of the Ramayan without referring the book. Thus, R.K. Chaturvedi got these religious qualities coupled with a life of simple living and high thinking from his inspiring father. He did his early schooling at the village and then moved to Kanpur for further studies. From a revolutionary to follower of Mahatma Gandhi In Kanpur, R.K. Chaturvedi secured admission in Bhartiya Vidyalaya. At that time this school was headed by Guru Raghuvar Dayal Bhatt who was a true patriot and who used to devote most of the time in instilling his students the feeling of patriotism. Young R.K. Chaturvedi got inspired by such an inspiring Guru and soon joined the revolutionaries for the cause of Independence of India. He was assigned the job of transmitting secret messages of the revolutionaries. He performed this job remarkably well for a long time but then once British Police came to know about his real job and a warrant got issued for his arrest. Hameed Khan-a veteran freedom fighther popularly known as Tauji came to know about this warrant and he advised and persuaded R.K. Chaturvedi to leave the Kanpur till police is behind him for arrest. He advised Shri Chaturvedi to live with Mahatma Gandhi in his Ashram for few days. R.K. Chaturvedi then moved to the Ashram of Gandhiji and lived there for about two months. These two months of closeness with Mahatma brought a radical change in him. From a revolutionary he became true follower of Mahatma Gandhi and got inspired to attain the qualities of self-determination and self-restrained while leading simple life from Mahatma. After his return from the Ashram-he devoted most of his time as a volunteer of Congress Seva Dal-performing various social activities and spreading the message of Mahatma Gandhi in the society. All these activities did not led him pursue further studies. Successful Businessman In August 1947, India got its Freedom and R.K. Chaturvedi engaged himself in the family business first at Kanpur and then moving to Kolkata to run its Kolkata firm. He turned Kolkata firm in a huge profit generating firm due to his affectionate behavior and honesty. He had to rush back to Kanpur to take care of his ailing father. Period of Struggle and Survival: His father died in 1961 and this brought enormous family responsibilities on R.K. Chaturvedi who was just 42 years of age at that time. He was the only person to take care of his two younger brothers, three sons, two daughters besides wife of his younger brother. At such a crucial time-his own close relatives deceived him. When he went back to firm as its partner-his own Uncle refused to accept him as partner stating that accounts were fixed with his father and he is no more a partner of the firm. The Uncle who had managed to take all money of his partnership was also worried and suspicious that R.K. Chaturvedi may join the competitors as a Partner and this may cause loss to the firm. So he asked-“what you plan to do now?” R.K. Chaturvedi looking into the eyes of his uncle bravely replied-“Don’t worry-I will do any thing but not this family line of business any more.” He kept this promise and refused good offers from the competitors to join them as partner. He has to engage in various business during this period of struggle-he could not generate enough money from these business which he was able to earn while in the family business. Some how he was able to generate small amount of money which was hardly enough for the survival of dependents and looking after the educational needs of the growing children. In spite of such alarming situation-he stood like a rock on his principles having full faith in Almighty and did not lay his hand before others for support and single handedly managed the whole family and did not led family members suffer for their basic needs. Various social activities: Even during this period of struggle-he managed to get time for social activities and as a principal office bearer of Nagrik Samiti he was instrumental in getting the Master Plan of Kidwai Nagar prepared. He was instrumental in establishment of Nagrik Siksha Sansthan to run separate schools for boys and girls to cater the educational needs of fast growing Kanpur South locality of Kidwai Nagar. He moved house to house to collect money for not only running of the schools but also for establishment of Nagrik Dharmashala. He also associated himself with the historical Jangleshwar Ramlila Committee and as its President for two consecutive years-he eradicated corruption and brought about a radical change in staging of Ramlila. Life dedicated to others When his sons got settled in their life and he managed to get his two daughters married in respectable families-he left all business and social activities and moved to Bithor-a prominent religious and historical place adjoining Kanpur. There he lived a life of a Bhakti Yogi-devoting most of time in reading religious books and doing pooja. Whatever time was left-it was meant for poorest section of the society.  Whatever money he got from his sons-he spend it all in making Ayurvedic Medicines for certain deceases and in Homeopathic Medicines for all common ailments and distributed these medicines amongst the poorest people as “Prasad” of Lord. He devoted most of the time in preaching these people how to lead healthy and peaceful life. After a decade of his leaving social activities-certain persons persuaded him to contest the elections for Nagrik Dharamshala Samiti and he accepted the offer stating that he will not move out of Bithor for canvassing and would only visit Dharamshala on the election day. All his close associates were suspicious for his victory as he did not ask for a vote from any one and look at the result of the elections-he secured 100% votes polled in the election-every one voted in his favour. That displays not only his popularity but confidence and trust of others on him for his honesty, devotion and dedication.