in Mukundgarh. He sanctioned the setting up of water supply systems, electrification of households, telephone system for better communication, concrete cement road in the main market, connectivity of the Mukundgarh town with the Mukundgarh mandi (community shop) and railway station which ushered in the overall growth of the town and opened several new vistas for future development and sustainable source of income for the Mukundgarh Municipality per se. Educational work and qualifications He had a vast knowledge of Sanskrit and astrology. He was exponent of the Vedas, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita and Niti Shastra. His erudition in all these had earned him the epithet of Shastri. He had been the Founder of the All India Astrology Research Centre at Jaipur and remained the President throughout his life. He had also been associated with a large number of educational institutions due to his inclination towards creating a newer educated generation next. Personal life He was married to Draupadi Devi Surolia in 1959, and the couple have four children, Sarla Mukesh, Rajesh Pratibha Surolia, Sanjeev Parul Surolia, and Sarita Vinay. He had started a small distribution firm in 1967, which had a good amount of annual turnover. Later the business was transferred to his youngest son after his demise. Late life and death He was very popular in Mukundgarh and the nearby areas and people used to come to him for sorting out all kind of disputes amicably. The entire district administration and the politicians used to visit him only due to his charismatic personality and traits. He used to be popularly called as Shyamji in the area. Death He remained an active social worker till his death. He died on 20 July 2001, after a brief illness. As he was a freedom fighter, the state of Rajasthan honoured him with State funeral. References 2001 deaths 1920 births Banaras Hindu University alumni Prisoners and detainees of British India People from Jhunjhunu district Indian socialists Indian independence activists from Rajasthan Indian civil rights activists Indian Hindus Marwari people Gandhians Indian anti-poverty advocates