Topics Covered: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Govind Ballabh Pant:
Context:
A statue of freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant that was removed from the Parliament premises recently would be unveiled at its new location.
About Govind Ballabh Pant:
- Pant was born on 10 September 1887 in what is now Uttarakhand, at Almora.
- In Kashipur, he established an organisation called Prem Sabha that started working towards several reforms.
- He also saved a school from shutting down due to non-payment of taxes to the British government.
- He was the first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in Independent India.
- He served as India’s home minister from 1955 to 1961. It was during his tenure that states were reorganised on linguistic lines.
- Following Gandhi’s footsteps, Pant also organised a massive salt movement in the United Provinces. In May 1930, he was arrested and held at Dehradun jail.
- He also protested against the Simon Commission.
- In 1957, Pant was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Offices held by GB Pant before independence.
- Offices held after independence.
- Awards and honours.
- Prem Sabha organisation- objectives.
- Involvement in freedom struggle.
- His views on separate electorates.
Mains Link:
Write a note on GB Pant and his contributions to the freedom movement.
Sources: the Hindu.
