01 August - Purushottam Das Tandon birth anniversary

 

Purushottam Das Tandon (1882-1962) was an eminent Indian freedom fighter, social reformer, and political leader during the pre-independence and post-independence eras. He played a significant role in India's struggle for independence and was also involved in various social and political movements.

Here are some key points about Purushottam Das Tandon:

1. Early Life: He was born on 01 August 1882, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He hailed from a prominent family and received a good education.

2. Political Career: Tandon was deeply influenced by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and became an active participant in the Indian independence movement. He worked closely with Gandhi in various civil disobedience movements and was committed to non-violent methods of protest.

3. Social Reforms: Tandon was a staunch advocate of social reforms, especially in the fields of education and women's rights. He worked towards promoting education among the masses and improving the status of women in society.

4. Congress Party: He was associated with the Indian National Congress and served as its President in 1950. He played a crucial role in the freedom struggle and worked to mobilize public support for the Quit India Movement in 1942.

5. Contribution to Hindi Language: Tandon was a strong proponent of the Hindi language and worked to promote it as a medium of instruction and communication. He served as the President of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan.

6. Constituent Assembly: After India gained independence in 1947, Tandon was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, which was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution.

7. Differences with Nehru: Despite his contributions to the freedom struggle, Tandon had political differences with Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. He opposed certain policies of Nehru's government and eventually resigned from the Congress Party in 1950.

8. Later Life: After leaving the Congress Party, Tandon became associated with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (a precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party). He continued to work for various social causes and remained politically active until his death on 01 July , 1962.