MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA: A JOURNEY FROM DWARF TO GIANT: PRAMOD DIXIT MALAY

MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA: A JOURNEY FROM DWARF TO GIANT: PRAMOD DIXIT MALAY

3-JAN-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------A socially beneficial national work done by an individual in their social life not only gives them global recognition but also transforms their personality from that of a dwarf to a giant. Prioritizing the welfare of humanity and society above individual happiness, comfort, and satisfaction, and showing concern for their well-being, makes them a great human being. The great center of education, Banaras Hindu University, located in Kashi, the world's oldest educational and cultural city, is not only spreading the golden light of its research and educational achievements but is also unfurling the flag of glory of the visionary dream, struggle, and successful resolve of a great personality, whom the world knows as Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya and offers its reverence; whom Mahatma Gandhi called his elder brother and addressed as Mahamana. Proficient in Hindi, Sanskrit, and English, Malaviya was elected president of the Indian National Congress four times and represented India at the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, making a strong impression in London with his logic, intellect, and factual, scholarly statements. His multifaceted personality reveals the image of an educationist, editor, brilliant lawyer, social reformer, skilled organizer, and strong advocate of the Hindi language.

The ancestors of Brahmin Madan Mohan Malaviya had settled in Prayag from Malwa for their livelihood, which is why they came to be called Malaviya, which was not a caste name but an identification of a particular region. It was here, on December 25, 1861, that the child Madan Mohan was born to his father Brajnath and mother Meena Devi. His father used to recite Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and wanted Madan Mohan to continue this tradition. So, his initial education took place at home under his father's supervision, where the child developed a basic understanding of Sanskrit and memorized some verses and couplets. He also began to learn the methods of worship. For further education, he went to a religious school. He then enrolled in the renowned Muir Central College in Prayag and passed his matriculation examination in 1879.  During this time, in 1878, he also got married. He received a scholarship and went to Calcutta University for further education, obtaining his B.A. degree in 1884. Upon his return, he started working as a teacher in Allahabad for a monthly salary of 40 rupees. His aspiration to pursue an M.A. was hampered by financial constraints. Meanwhile, a major political development took place in the country: the English collector A.O. Hume founded the Indian National Congress.  In 1886, at its second session held in Calcutta under the chairmanship of Dadabhai Naoroji, the 25-year-old Madan Mohan Malaviya not only participated but also won over everyone with his sharp and eloquent speech. Malaviya was being praised from all sides at the session. It was then that he accepted the offer to take over the editorial responsibility of Raja Rampal Singh's weekly newspaper 'Hindustan' and worked as an editor for about thirty months, showcasing his literary prowess. Subsequently, after obtaining a law degree, he started practicing law in the district court in 1891 and, progressing rapidly, began arguing cases in the Allahabad High Court in 1893. It was this dedication and commitment to his profession that quickly placed him among the ranks of renowned lawyers like Motilal Nehru and Sir Sundarlal.

Malaviya was active in social and political activities. He was connected with every section of society and was also aware of the exploitative policies of the British. He realized that there was a complete lack of awareness in society. Farmers, laborers, and women were living lives of hardship. The country's resources were being used for the development of Britain. Indian society was suffering and divided. He considered education a crucial factor in individual development. Education was possible only through awareness, and for this, he started publishing the weekly newspaper 'The Leader' from Allahabad in 1909. Later, a Hindi edition was also launched. In 1910, the magazine 'Maryada' also came into existence. Due to extensive travel across the country as a Congress leader, he found less and less time for his legal practice. Consequently, he gave up law in 1911. He served as a member of the Provincial Legislative Council. Before that, he had also served for a considerable period on the Allahabad Municipal Board. At the 1915 Banaras session of the Congress, he proposed the establishment of a Hindu University, which was accepted. And thus, on February 4, 1916, Banaras Hindu University was founded, which is today Asia's largest residential university. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the university from 1919 to 1939. During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, he always worked in the best interests of the students and did not allow the imposition of fines on them. Meanwhile, the 'Hindustan Times', published from Delhi, was facing financial difficulties and was on the verge of closure. He rescued it from this crisis by securing financial assistance from industrialists and other influential friends, and served as its Chairman from 1924 to 1946. In 1928, along with Lala Lajpat Rai, he vehemently opposed the Simon Commission and faced police brutality. In 1937, disillusioned with politics, he renounced worldly life and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the promotion and spread of education. He was a proponent of widow remarriage but a staunch opponent of child marriage. He worked to raise awareness in society about women's education and self-reliance. He envisioned Hindi as the national language. It was a result of his continuous efforts that the Governor had to issue a decree in 1900 allowing the use of Hindi alongside Arabic, Persian, and English in the courts. The Constituent Assembly is his creation. To promote the Hindi language, literature, and Devanagari script, he established the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Prayag in 1910 and became its first president. It is noteworthy that Mahatma Gandhi, while presiding over the Indore conference in 1917, made a heartfelt appeal to accept Hindi as the national language.

No one is beyond the reach of time. What is born is destined to die. The body of the tireless and weary Mahamana Malaviya became lifeless on November 12, 1946. The entire country was plunged into mourning. This was not merely the passing of a man, but the extinguishing of an educational torch that had been illuminating the path of the people day and night. In 1961, the government issued a 15-paisa postage stamp in his memory. A one-rupee postage stamp issued in 1991 features Malaviya's image with a picture of the university in the background. On the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary in 2011, a five-rupee coin was released. Mahamana Malaviya's ideas will continue to inspire us, and his creation, BHU, will continue to sing his praises.