Important Persons born today
Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946)
Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedom fighter, educationist, and politician. He was born on December 25, 1861, in Allahabad, British India. He founded the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi. BHU is one of Asia’s largest residential universities. He was instrumental in India’s fight for freedom. He was staunch advocate for social and educational reforms.
He served as the President of Indian National Congress for four times in the years 1909, 1918, 1932, and 1933. Malviya was important leader of Non-Cooperation Movement. He also focused on uniting Hindus and Muslims to fight the British. He was founder of the newspaper, “The Leader”. This newspaper propagated nationalist ideas.
Though, he was involved in the struggle for India’s freedom, however, he did not leave the field of education and made significant contributions there. He made sure that BHU becomes a center for various fields of learning and research.
Considering his contribution in the fields of social reforms and education, the Indian Government awarded him with the highest civilian honor of the nation, the Bharat Ratna in the year 2014.
Ganganath Jha (1872-1941)
Well known scholar of Sanskrit and Indologist, Ganganath Jha was born on 25th December, 1872, in Bihar. He was having extraordinary knowledge about ancient Indian texts. He made efforts not only for studying but also for preservation of Sanskrit literature.
Jha served as a Sanskrit Professor at various prominent institutions including University of Allahabad. He not only edited and translated various important Sanskrit texts including Nyaya Sutras and Manusmriti. Due to his efforts only, these texts could become available to large no. of audiences.
Due to his consistent involvement in preserving Indian heritage and culture, he was widely respected among learned men of that time. He was instrumental in organizing plethora of Indology seminars. He was also active member of societies which were involved in the activities related to literature, culture etc.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018)
A well respected Indian Politician and poet Atal Bihari Bajpayee was born on 25th December, 1994 in the city of Gwalior in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh (earlier British India). He was famous for his eloquent speeches, foresightedness and the zeal for nation’s development.
Atal Bihari was founder member of Jan Sangh and later on also of Bhartiya Janta Party. Later on, he became Prime Minister of India in 1996 for a term of only 13 days and then in 1998-99 for a period of 13 months and later for a full term from 1999 to 2004. His tenure is known for economic upliftment, improvement in basic facilities and strengthening of India’s position in the global settings. India performed nuclear test during his tenure in Pokhran.
He tried for improvement of Indo-Pak relations by attending historical Lahore Summit in 1999. Although his efforts could not bring much changes in the relations, however no body can question his intentions.
Bajpayee was not only a good politician but also a good poet and writer. His speeches and poetry are still listened with much enthusiasm and interest. One of his poetry is depicted as below:-
हार नहीं मानूंगा, रार नहीं ठानूंगा।
काल के कपाल पे लिखता-मिटाता हूँ,
गीत नया गाता हूँ।
तोड़ने में नहीं है विश्वास,
बाँधने में नहीं है विश्वास।
खुद को ललकारता हूँ,
गीत नया गाता हूँ।
For his contributions towards the nation, he was awarded highest civilian honour of the nation, Bharat Ratna in the year 2015. He is an inspiration for not only new politicians but also for budding poets. He authored following books:-
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a prolific writer and poet. Some of his books are mentioned as under:-
- Bindu-Bindu Vichara
- Chuni Hui Kavitayen
- Meri Ekyavan Kavitayen
- Kya Khoya Kya Paya
- Twenty-One Poems
- Na Dainyam Na Palaynam
- Shakti Se Shanti
- Na Dainyam Na Palaynam
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972)
Chakravarti Rajgopalchari was born on 25th December, 1978 at Thorapalli in Tamil Nadu. He was an Indian freedom fighter, politician and writer. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He served as the last Governor General of India.
C. Rajagopalachari was a good writer who contributed to English literature by editing Mahatma Gandhi’s newspaper “Young India”, he also wrote a retelling of the Mahabharta and Ramayan ain English. He translated Kambar’s Tamil Ramayana and Thirukkural in English. He wrote several other books on Bhagvad Gita, Upanishads etc. in English. He established Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan in the year 1958.
He had also keen interest in Music. He composed a devotional song, Kurai Onrum Illai devoted to Lord Krishna. A benediction hymn composed by him was sung by M.S. Subbulakshmi in the United Nations General Assembly in the year 1967.
and is also credited with the composition of the song Kurai Onrum Illai set to Carnatic music. He was a pioneer of temperance and temple entry movements in India and an advocate of Dalit upliftment. Despite his efforts, he has been criticized for introducing the compulsory study of Hindi and the Elementary Education Scheme in Madras State which has been citicized as Hereditary Education Policy put forward to perpetuate caste hierarchy.
Mahatma Gandhi used to call him, “Keeper of my conscience”. Affinity of Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi towards him was also criticized by many. He was one of the first recipient of India’s highest Civil Honour, Bharat Ratna in the year 1954. His contribution towards Indian society, culture and religion will always be remembered.