Page 47 - NIS English 01-15,April 2023

Amrit Mahotsav Nation

C.Y. CHINTAMANI

A FEARLESS, MAN

OF PRINCIPLES

Born: April 10, 1880; Died: July 1, 1941

he great nationalist leader and freedom editor, the name was changed to Indian
fighter C.Y. Chintamani, was born on Herald. However, Chintamani's journalism
TApril 10, 1880, in Vizianagaram, Andhra career reached a climax after he joined The
Pradesh. Chiravuri Yajneshwar Chintamani Leader newspaper. The Leader, published from
was his full name. Despite being born into a Allahabad, was the leading English nationalist
poor family, Chintamani rose to prominence newspaper in the United Provinces. The Leader
not only in India but also around the world. was a joint venture of leading nationalists like
He was never ashamed of his poverty, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Motilal Nehru,
he despised ostentation. When there was a Satchidanand Sinha, and Tej Bahadur Sapru.
severe earthquake in Bihar, some people came The Leader's first joint editors were
to him to ask for donations, but Chintamani and Ganendranath
he did not give them the amount Chintamani's Gupta; however, he soon
they expected. That sum was assumed full editorial control of
deemed inadequate for a man life was simple, the publication. This newspaper
of his social standing. Then and he always was harsh in its criticism of
Chintamani politely informed did what he said. the British Raj and its policies.
those people that he would be Chintamani is Chintamani left the Congress in
unable to donate any further 1918 to form the Liberal Party
funds. He even didn't hesitate to said to have had with Surendranath Banerjee,
show his passbook to the people. an incredible Dinshaw Wacha, Chimanlal
This exemplified his simplicity. memory. Setalvad, and Tej Bahadur
Chintamani's life was simple, Sapru, who preferred to achieve
and he always did what he said. Chintamani independence through constitutional means.
is said to have had an incredible memory. He Chintamani was appointed Education Minister
never forgot what he had heard someone say. of the United Provinces under the Government
He was also an excellent public speaker. He of India Act of 1919. He was the Leader of the
lived in Prayagraj for the majority of his life. Opposition in the UP Legislative Council from
Chintamani has been influenced by liberal 1927 to 1936. In 1930, he was invited as a
ideas since his youth. He regarded Gopal delegate to the first Round Table Conference in
Krishna Gokhale as his political mentor. London. Chintamani was a man of principles.
The moderate leaders of the Indian National He was knighted in 1939, but he never stopped
Congress influenced him. In 1898, he joined criticising the British Raj. C.Y. Chintamani was
the party. He was appointed as the editor of the The Leader's editor until his death. On July 1,
Vizag Spectator newspaper. After he became 1941, he died.

New India Samachar April 1-15, 2023 45