Unsung Heroes | History Corner | Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India

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Paying tribute to India’s freedom fighters

Kakalbhai Ravjibhai Kothari

Gujarat

April 03, 2023 to April 03, 2024

Kakalbhai Ravjibhai Kothari was born in 1902 at Gondal. In order to contribute to the Tilak Swaraj Fund, he went from place to place. Went to Mumbai in order to further his education. There, he was greeted by Thakkarabapa for the first time. During the non-cooperation movement, he gave up his education, attended Gujarat Vidyapith, and earned his graduate degree there. A former employee of Phool Chandbhai's National School, where he held the position of teacher for some time. The newspapers 'Navjeevan', 'Saurashtra' and others affected him as he had visions of accomplishing something. He made the decision to sign up for the 'Saurashtra newsletter and attempted to instill vigor in the nation in other people. He was an administrator with considerable power but also had revolutionary tendencies. During these years, he wrote a number of books, some of which are "Buzato Deepak," "Lenin," "Zhandadhari," "Narveer Lalaji," and "Rashtriya Shivraj," amongst others. During the Salt Satyagraha that took place in 1932, he was taken into custody and sentenced to a combined six months of jail in Sabarmati and Dhutia. In the year 1932, the state of Gondal banished him. During the same time period, he traveled to Mumbai. After the publication of 'Saurashtra' was discontinued, he was a driving force behind the publication of 'Phulchaab.' He accomplished an excellent job of raising awareness among the general population. He was a supporter of Amritlal Sheth's “Janmabhoomi '' endeavor in Mumbai. After that, he edited the newspaper 'Navasaurashtra' and later 'Prabhat'. When it was first established in 1935–1936, he became a member of the Samajwadi Party. Prabhat's workplace in Ahmedabad was becoming the center of conversation among his co-workers because of the unconventional notions he held regarding the organization of society. The point of his pen was acute. He made a considerable contribution to elevating the standard of living for the people of Saurashtra. During the war for control of Mahagujarat that took place in 1956, the Ahmedabad office of the Prabhat newspaper was one of the most important centers of the movement. He passed away in May of 1966.

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