Ravishankar Maharaj
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Ravishankar Maharaj, a humble servant of the people was born in Radhu Village of Kaira Distt. on Feb. 25, 1884, on Mahashivaratri day.
Ravishankar Maharaj dropped out of school after the sixth standard and thereafter came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.His association with Mahatma Gandhi brought a drastic change in his vision of life.He actively participated in all the movements launched by Gandhiji and played a leading role in carrying out his constructive work.In 1920, he established Rashtriya Shala in Sunav for imparting national education to the youths aspiring to dedicate their lives for the country.During the course of Borsad Satyagrah in 1923 he extensively toured many villages and awakened the people against the injustice of foreign rule.He made fervent appeals to the people not to pay "Haidia Vero' In 1928 he was arrested and sentenced to six months imprisonment for participating in the Bardole Satyagrah along with Sardar Patel.In the satyagrah of 1930 too, he was jailed for two years.In 1941, when communal riots broke out in Ahmedabad, he moved fearlessly in the disturbed areas and played an indispensable role in restoring peace and communal harmony.He was jailed again by the British Government in the wake of the historic 'Quit India Movement' of 1942.
After independence Ravishankar Maharaj concentrated his entire energy on carrying out constructive work for the welfare of the people of Gujarat.He worked all through his life for the uplife of the backward and down-trodden people of Gujarat. Ravishankar Maharaj also took active part in the Bhudan and Sarvodya Movements of Acharya Vinoba Bhave and in dertook several padyatras for this noble cost.He moved from village to village organising relief works for the aid of the victims of natural calamities like cyclone, floods, draughts etc. and made permanent arrangements for the implementation of relief work in view of the repeated onslaught of such natural calamities in Gujarat. Ravishankar Maharaj also launched the new state of Gujarat in 1960.This silent servant and great son of Gujarat announced his retirement from public life and issued a special appeal to the people not to raise any funds in his name, nor to raise any memorial in his name.Ravishankar Maharaj, the tallestGandhian of Gujarat and a 'Muthi Uchero Manvi' (a man first above the rest) breathed his last in hospital at broad on the morning of 1st July, 1984 at the age of 101.
The Department of Posts in privileged to issue a commemorative stamp in honour of late Ravishankar Maharaj, one of the leading freedom fighters and national leader of the country.
Source - Freeindia.org
