Page 62 - NIS English 16-31 February,2023
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Nation Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
RAFI AHMED KIDWAI: GANESH VASUDEV MAVALANKAR
RAISED HIS VOICE LEFT LAW PRACTICE TO
FOR THE WELFARE OF PARTICIPATE IN THE
FARMERS FREEDOM MOVEMENT
BORN: 18 FEBRUARY 1894, DIED: 24 OCTOBER 1954
BORN: 27 NOVEMBER 1888, DIED: 27 FEBRUARY 1956
afi Ahmed Kidwai, who played an active
Rrole in India's freedom movement, was anesh Vasudev Mavalankar, India's renowned
born in a landlord family on 18 February Gfreedom fighter and the first speaker of the Lok
1894 in the Barabanki district of Uttar Sabha, was born on 27 November 1888 in Baroda,
Pradesh. Despite this, he raised his voice Gujarat. He is also fondly known as 'Dadasaheb' and
for the welfare of the poor and farmers. GV Mavalankar. Mavalankar came to Ahmedabad in
He worked to free the farmers from the the year 1902 for higher education and did his B.A
zamindari system. He was constantly from 'Gujarat College'. After obtaining a law degree
striving to end the exploitation of the farmers from 'Mumbai University', he started a law practice in
by the landlords. He is also remembered for Ahmedabad and within a short span of time carved a
taking tough decisions without wavering
in the midst of challenges. He became niche for himself.
active in the freedom movement while However, having a keen interest in social work as
studying law and became popular due well, he came in contact with eminent leaders like
to his extraordinary organizational skills. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and
He was especially active in the Khilafat within a short span of time he joined many prominent
Movement in the 1920s and also joined the social organizations in Gujarat. He played an active
Non-Cooperation Movement at the call of role in the independence movement from Gujarat in
Mahatma Gandhi. Rafi Kidwai was arrested the 1930s-1940s and went to jail several times. He
many times and remained in jail for a long spent about six years in jail and undertook reform
time in many movements including the non- work for the welfare of inmates. He was a learned man
cooperation movement. with knowledge of several languages. He also actively
After his every release from jail, he would participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and
come out with new enthusiasm and inspire Salt Satyagraha. Mavalankar always played a pivotal
people more fervently by holding public
meetings against British rule. His biggest role in rescue work during times of natural calamity,
strength was that he went beyond all limits famine, social crisis, or any kind of political crisis. He
to help people. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai was also exhibited a special interest in writing and has many
elected to the Constituent Assembly from literary achievements.
the United Provinces. After the country His book 'Manavtana Jharna' written in the Gujarati
got independence, he was appointed language consists of true stories of the prisoners
as the Minister of Communications. He whom he met and guided during their prison term
inaugurated the first-night air mail service. from the period of 1942 to 1944 during the freedom
The first Van Mahotsav was celebrated in struggle. GV Mavalankar was elected to the Bombay
the country in 1950 by the then Environment Legislative Assembly in 1937 representing Ahmedabad
Minister Rafi Ahmed Kidwai. Its purpose city. He was the Speaker of the Bombay Legislative
was to create awareness about the impact Assembly from 1937 to 1946. He was elected the
of deforestation on wildlife and forest first Speaker of the Lok Sabha in May 1952 after the
dwellers. Since 1950, Van Mahotsav is
celebrated annually during the first week of first general elections of independent India and was
July from 1st July to 7th July. Rafi Ahmed elected unopposed. As Speaker of the first Lok Sabha,
Kidwai died on 24 October 1954. Mavalankar set procedures and conventions in line
with the ethos of the country.
60 New India Samachar February 16-28, 2023
