Page 43 - NIS 01-15 JAN 2022 English

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav India@75

MAHADEV BHAI DESAI PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE

FREEDOM STRUGGLE AS A CONFIDANT OF MAHATMA GANDHI

BORN: January 1,1892: DIED -August 15, 1942

ahadev Bhai Desai was his historic speech in Mumbai on
the personal secretary of August 8, 1942. The next morning,
MMahatma Gandhi. There was the British arrested Mahatma
a difference of about 24 years in Gandhi, Mahadev Desai, and others
age between them. Despite the age and locked them in the Aga Khan
difference, the relationship between Palace in Pune. Mahadev Desai
the two was very smooth and sweet. died of a heart attack on August 15
This is the reason why people call in this jail.
Mahadev Desai the shadow of Gandhi aptly quoted that
Mahatma Gandhi. Not only this, Mahadev in his life span of fifty
some consider him to be Gandhi's years had done the work of one
right hand who took care of all his hundred years. According to the
needs. He is believed to have been AFTER COMPLETING wishes of Mahatma Gandhi, his
Mahatma Gandhi's typist, translator, HIS GRADUATION, tomb was built in the palace of
counsellor, courier, interpreter, HE STUDIED LAW Aga Khan. When Kasturba Gandhi
troubleshooter, and much more. AND ALSO JOINED died after a year, her samadhi was
He was even a cook and Gandhi THE PROFESSION OF also built near Mahadev Desai's
especially admired the khichdi samadhi. Born on January 1, 1892,
prepared by him. It was because of ADVOCACY. in a village in Surat, Mahadev Desai
his affection for Desai that Mahatma translated Mahatma Gandhi's
Gandhi and his wife Kasturba autobiography 'My Experiments
considered him as their son. Mahatma Gandhi, in with Truth' into English. He kept on writing
his very first meeting with Desai in 1917, recognized a diary for a long time and this diary gives a
the hidden qualities in him and urged him to work detailed account of Mahatma Gandhi's lifestyle,
with him. Their association continued till 15 August his activities, etc. This diary is still an important
1942, till Desai's last breath. document to understand the character, thoughts,
Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan 'Do or Die' in and philosophy of Gandhi.

TILKA MANJHI: HIS FRENZY FOR FREEDOM

SHOOK THE BRITISH RULE

Born: 11 February 1750, Martyr’s Day: 13 January 1785

he year 1784 is considered the first armed rebellion against ACTUALLY 'TILKA'
the British. On January 13, 1784, a young man shot and IN THE PAHARIYA
Tfatally wounded Augustus Cleveland, an East India Company LANGUAGE MEANS
administrator, with his poisoned arrow. The young man was Tilka ANGRY AND
Manjhi, who was fighting the Britishers at a time when there was RED-EYED
no talk of any rebellion against them. After this incident, the British PERSON.
surrounded the Tilapore forest from which he operated but he and

New India Samachar January 1-15, 2022 41