Gaurishanker Dalmia was born on 12.11.1910 at Lakhisaray village in Munger District, Bihar. He was educated in Kolkata. When he was 17 years old his father died and he assumed charge of the family business.

Responding to the call of Mahatma Gandhi, he abandoned his family business and started living in Jasidih, a village in Santhal Pargana. He took active part in the freedom struggle. In 1926, once  again inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, he entered public life and took a vow to wear Khadi. He was imprisoned in 1931 for participating in the Namak Satyagrah (Salt Movement). In 1936 he was elected President of the Santhal Pargana District Congress Committee and was founder General Secretary of Santhal Paharia Seva Mandai, Deoghar, established in 1936. After independence the Seva Mandai was awarded by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and also received a National Award.

Gaurishanker Dalmia was elected as Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 1937 till 1952 and Member of Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) from 1952 till 1972.

He was associated with many business and educational institutions. He was Member of the Senate of Bhagalpur University. He was Executive Committee member of FICCI, New Delhi and Indian Employers, Association, New Delhi. He was also Chairman of the Bihar Industries Association, Patna for 13 years and he was President of the Bihar Chamber of Commerce, Patna for two terms (4 years). He was founder President of the South Bihar Chamber of Commerce and for about 20 years, he remained its President.

He was especially interested in the fields of education and health involving himself in work relating

to education, leprosy eradication, rehabilitation of handicapped persons, upliftment of Adiwasis (aboriginal tribes), Prakirtik Chikitsa  (nature  cures) etc. He served leprosy patients through 40 service centers and points of medicine-dispensation and 3 hospitals.

He made important contribution to anti-leprosy work and for serving handicapped children and for their rehabilitation. He devoted his life for upliftment of Dalits, tribals and Paharia's (a primitive tribe) in 6 districts of Santhal Pargana Division establishing 30 primary schools on the hills, 2 treatment centers in the foothills and plains and 10 treatment centers (hospitals) for treating aboriginals (Adiwasi) at other places, 200 primary schools and night-schools, 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, 4 hostels and 4 hospitals, 24 Balbaries (creches) and Sishupalan Kendras were also established.

He had an abiding interest in journalism. He published "Prakash" in Hindi and "The Spark" in English as weekly magazines for about two decades. Since 1950, he published many books in Santhali language in Nagri script. He made efforts for Nagri script to be accepted for Santhali language, which was given recognition by the Government.

He passed away on 16.06.1988.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Gaurishanker Dalmia.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India