A Connoisseur of Arts, founder of School, College, Library and Museum; founder of 287 schools, humanitarian, eradicator of evils and casteism, true servant of Hindi, promoter of Woman-Education, constructive worker for communal harmony, ochre cloth wearer, an ascetic etc. all these epithets can befittingly be used for reverend Swami Keshwanand.
Born in 1940 Vikrami Samvat (1883 A.D.) in the village Mangloona of Sikar District in Rajasthan, the child named Beerma, had to leave his house during the severe famine of 1956 Vikrami Samvat (1899 A.D.). He became the disciple of Swami Kushal Das of Fazilka (Punjab) in order to quench his desire for learning Sanskrit. On becoming a Sadhu he was re-christened Keshwanand.
Renouncing materialism and worldly pleasures Swami Keshwanand devoted his life to the noble causes of social reformation, expansion of Education and freedom movement. While fighting for the country’s freedom he was jailed twice. In 1932 he took over the charge of Jat Middle School, formerly founded by Ch. Bahadur Singh and developed it, through his tireless efforts, made day and night into a large cluster of schools and colleges.
In addition to this he established in this educational institution (GRAMOTTHAN VIDYAPEETH) an Ayurvedic Ausdhalay’a a museum, for the preservation of art, culture and History, and a Baal Sangrahalya. Not only this, he founded 287 schools in the remote villages of erstwhile Bikaner State apart from Sangaria. He established Schools, hostels and libraries at many places in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Swami Ji got published History of Sikhs, nearly 100 books on varied subjects and two monthly magazines, all in Hindi. He was the member of the upper house (Rajaya Sabha) in the Parliament for 12 years. Social reformation, addiction-free society, educated woman, and development and progress of villages was the be-all and end-all of Swami Ji’s life. For attainment his goel he not only achieved the desired success but he also contributed permanent assets to the society in form of different institutions which still continue and will continue, to serve our society.
The great Swami ji went to Madras (Chennai) in 1972 in order to raise donation for his institutions, when he was nearly 90. While returning from there he breathed his last in Delhi on 13th September, 1972; but his soul, permeating every atom of the institution, constantly leads this institution on the path of progress.