Nandlal Krushnalal Shah was born on1906 in Chinchani village. He completed his matric education at K D High School Chinchani. In 1931, he attended the Karachi Conference organized under the chairmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Nandlal actively participated in the Haripura Conference, which was organized under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1938. He joined the Rashtriya Seva Dal in Bordi, Dahanu, Chinchani, and Palghar. These activists effectively carried out the Quit India movement in their respective areas. On 14 August 1942, a group of 40 to 50 youth from the Rashtriya Seva Dal gathered at Gandhi Chowk in Chinchani, with Nandlal and his brother among them. As the march proceeded, they reached a banyan tree in front of KD High School in Chinchani. At the same time, Shinde Faujdar, a police officer, arrived at the spot with his constables. The spirited youth in the march raised slogans against the British, chanting phrases like "Chale Jav" and "Vande Mataram."
After a few minutes, Shinde Faujdar ordered his constables to open fire indiscriminately on the peaceful march. Tragically, the firing resulted in the martyrdom of Ramkrishna Vasudev Karvir and Chintaman Laxman Bariya on the spot, while eight other protesters were injured. The remaining individuals were sent to Thane Central Jail, and Nandlal himself received a 10-month imprisonment sentence in Thane Jail alongside his fellow activists.
Following independence, Nandlal dedicated himself to social work in his village. The Prime Minister of India commended him, and the Maharashtra government honoured him with a certificate acknowledging his role as a freedom fighter. Nandlal Krushnalal passed away on 6 July 1976.
Tamra Patra was awarded to Nandlal Krushnalal Shah by the Government of India in 1972
Samman Patra was awarded to Nandlal Krushnalal Shah by the Government of Maharashtra
Source: Vijay Balasaheb Pawbake, Contributor for CCRT