About this stamp
Ganga Ram was born on April 13, 1851, in Mangatwala, which is now located in Pakistan. Following a brilliant academic career, he entered service as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department, Punjab. His innovative planning and processes for the construction of municipal services, structures, and institutions were pioneering in India and served as a model for generations to come.
One of Ganga Ram’s most significant contributions was in the field of agriculture. He believed that agriculture was the cornerstone of India’s development and prosperity. Through his efforts, inspiration, and engineering skills, he played a major role in transforming the dry tracts of Punjab into fertile, green lands. This transformation made Punjab the granary of India with the highest per capita income.
Ganga Ram was also a visionary social reformer who was ahead of his time. He opposed dowry and child marriage and advocated for widow remarriage. He established institutions for vocational education and adult education. Additionally, he dedicated almost his entire earnings to a charitable trust named after him, which aimed to create a welfare society.
Despite facing challenges such as the partition of the country, the Ganga Ram Trust continues to operate and runs a modern hospital in New Delhi, ensuring that his legacy of service and philanthropy lives on. Ganga Ram passed away on July 10, 1927, in England while serving as an active member of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to commemorate this great son of India by issuing a commemorative postage stamp in his honor.
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