Page 53 - NIS English 16-28 Feb 2022
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Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav India@75
RAVISHANKAR MAHARAJ: A FREEDOM FIGHTER
AND SOCIAL WORKER
Born: 25 February 1884, Death: 1 July 1984
Ravishankar Maharaj, not only Ravishankar Maharaj used to
participated in the freedom take only one meal a day.
struggle of India but also took
up the cause of social reform
throughout his life. Ravi following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi,
Shankar Maharaj, also known Ravi Shankar Maharaj turned towards social work.
as Ravi Shankar Vyas, worked He devoted himself to the cause of the welfare of
closely with Mahatma Gandhi the people of Gujarat and worked tirelessly to uplift
and Sardar Vallabhbhai the backward class people and Dalits. He was also
Patel to liberate India and dedicated his life to the associated with the Bhoodan movement led by
service of the country. He was born on 25 February Vinoba Bhave. He also brought the bandits into the
1884 in a village in the Kheda district of Gujarat. mainstream. He opposed the Emergency imposed
He dropped out of school after sixth class to help in the country in 1975. He was a man who used to
his father in agricultural work. He met Mahatma take only one meal a day. He received crores of
Gandhi in 1915 and became attracted to the cause rupees and plots of land in donation but he did not
of national independence. He also had to go to jail keep anything for himself, hence he is also called
while participating in the freedom struggle. He also 'crorepati beggar'. He died on 1 July 1984 in Gujarat
participated in the Bardoli Satyagraha and was also at the age of 100. The Government of India issued
active during the Quit India Movement, due to which a postage stamp in 1984 in honor of Ravi Shankar
the British government again imprisoned him. When Maharaj, who spent his entire life in the service of
India became independent on 15 August 1947, the country.
Unique Initiative of NCC
Brave jawans are a source of inspiration
Amrit Mahotsav, along with for our country and future generations
learning, inspires us to do to come. With an aim to express their
something for the country. Now gratitude to them the National Cadet
whether it is common people Corps (NCC) has taken a unique initiative
or governments across the as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
celebrations. The NCC will honor the kins
country, from Panchayat to of the Bravehearts in every part of the
Parliament, there is an echo of country with the ‘Shaurya Smriti’ plaque.
Amrit Mahotsav and programs The NCC will felicitate the kins of all
related to this festival are going 26,466 fallen heroes whose names were
etched at the National War Memorial.
on continuously. The programme which was launched on
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister January 26 will continue till August 15.
New India Samachar February 16-28, 2022 51
