Hare Krushna Mahtab
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | India's Struggle for Freedom |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | January 2, 1989 |
| Denomination | 60 p |
| Quantity | 1,000,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1198 Stamp Number IN 1257 Yvert et Tellier IN 1005 Stanley Gibbons IN 1345 |
| Themes | Famous people | Freedom Fighters | Men | Optical Instruments | Politicians |
Dr. Hare krushna Mahtab: A Stalwart of Indian Freedom Struggle and Eminent Statesman
Early Life:
- Birth: Born on 21st November 1899 at Agrapara, Balasore district, Orissa.
- Parents: Krishna Charan Das and Topha Bibi.
- Adopted by: Maternal grandparents Jagannath Mahtab, Raja of Agrapara, and Rani Dhani Bibi.
- Education: Bhadrak High School and Ravenshaw College.
- Marriage: Married Subhadra Devi in 1916.
Freedom Struggle:
- Influence of Gandhiji: Inspired to join the freedom movement in 1921.
- Non-Cooperation Movement: Imprisoned for two years in 1922.
- Prajatantra Weekly: Became editor in 1923, later transforming it into a daily newspaper.
- Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee: Became President in 1930.
- Salt Satyagraha: Imprisoned again in 1930.
- Translation Work: Translated “Balmiki Ramayan” into Oriya and produced an Oriya prose version of “The Bhagavad Gita” during imprisonment.
- Further Imprisonment: Suffered further imprisonment in 1932 for the Salt Satyagraha.
Social Upliftment:
- Harijans: Worked for their upliftment from 1933-37 at the “Gandhi Karm Mandir Ashram” and Jhadapipal village.
- Princely States Committee: Chaired a committee in 1938 to enquire into oppression in princely states like Dhenkanal, Talcher, and Rampur.
Political Involvement:
- National Congress: Member of the Working Committee.
- Quit India Movement: Imprisoned from August 1942 to April 1945 for participating in the Quit India movement.
- Literary Contributions During Imprisonment: Wrote a history of Orissa, three novels, and numerous poems.
Post-Independence Contributions:
- Premier of Orissa: Served from 1946-50.
- Cabinet Minister for Commerce and Supply: From 1950-52.
- Key Contributions: Assisted in the construction of the Hirakund Dam, establishment of the new capital at Bhubaneshwar, and the amalgamation of princely states with Orissa.
Later Roles:
- Congress Parliamentary Party: Secretary General from 1952-54.
- Governor of Bombay: Served from 1955-56.
- Chief Minister of Orissa: From 1956-61.
- Lok Sabha Member: Elected in 1962, served as Deputy Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
Honors and Literary Works:
- Academic Honors: Honored by Andhra University, Utkal University, and Sagar University.
- Editor and Patron: Chief Editor of “Jhankar,” an Oriya monthly, and patronized “Meena Bazar,” a children’s journal.
- Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award: Received in 1983 for his book “Gaon Majlis.”
- Books: Authored 24 books in English and Oriya.
Death:
- Passing: Dr. Hare krushna Mahtab died on 2nd January 1987.
Dr. Hare krushna Mahtab’s life and legacy continue to inspire many for his multifaceted contributions to India’s freedom struggle, state administration, and literary fields.