₹100 coin on Jawaharlal Darda alias Babuji released on his 101st birth anniv

Media Coverage | 03-07-2024

A ₹100 commemorative coin was released to mark the 101st birth anniversary of veteran freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat Media Group in Mumbai on Tuesday. Present on the occasion were (from left) Yashovardhan Sunit Kothari, Snehal Jalan, Jayashree Bhalla, Ashoo Darda, Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde, editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Group Rajendra Darda, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister Eknath Shinde, chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda, Congress’ Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, State minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Shivaan Devendra Darda. Datta Khedekar

Babuji’s memorial to be built in Mumbai

Announces chief minister Eknath Shinde, says Babuji & Lokmat are like pure gold

Lokmat News Network/Mumbai

Paying rich tributes to veteran freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat Media Group Jawaharlal Darda, fondly called Babuji, chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced construction of a memorial in his honour at the park along the Coastal Road in Mumbai for his contributions to the society.

 A commemorative coin of  `100 was also released to mark the 101st birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Darda during a programme held at Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium in Mumbai in the presence of chief minister Shinde on Tuesday.

While addressing the gathering, Shinde hailed Babuji’s contributions to the society and paid rich tributes to him and  highlighted the glorious life of Babuji and Lokmat’s achievements.

 Shinde described Babuji as a veteran freedom fighter, astute leader, and scholarly journalist, adding Babuji and Lokmat are like “pure gold.”

“While honouring any eminent personality in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never favoured the person’s party, religion or caste. The event, organised to unveil the Rs 100 commemorative coin in honour of Babuji’s, is part of that tradition.

“Babuji’s life was like a precious coin, pure and lasting, with numerous cherished memories. Those who worked with him are fortunate. “It won’t be wrong to say that Maharashtra got a real gem in ‘Jawahar’,” said chief minister.

“Yavatmal was Babuji’s birthplace, but he created a unique identity across the country. He established a branch of the Azad Hind Sena in Yavatmal and founded the Young Association.

“Babuji firmly believed in giving back to the country and the society. He was more concerned with what he could contribute to the nation rather than what he received and it was the hallmark of his greatness. He started ‘Lokmat’ and before that a weekly ‘Nave Jag.’ Today, Lokmat has revolutionised the media landscape in Maharashtra, with significant contributions from Vijay Darda and Rajendra Darda,” he noted.

Driving social movement along with politics

Despite being active in politics, Babuji continued to drive social movements through Lokmat. He made his mark in politics, holding various important ministerial positions. He also made significant contributions in cooperation, education, and housing sectors.

 Babuji was a connoisseur of art and culture, a devoted reader, and observer. Lokmat has always encouraged these two fields. The sapling of Lokmat that Babuji planted has grown into a large tree, establishing an unshakable position in the media world, the chief minister stated.

Babuji was a distinguished figure in social, political life: Fadnavis

The release of ₹100  coin on the 101st birth anniversary of veteran freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat Media Group late Jawaharlal Darda alias Babuji is a remarkable coincidence. He was a distinguished figure, said deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He further said that although Babuji was a senior leader of Congress, he had close friends in all political parties. This trait has been inherited by Vijaybabu, Rajendrababu, and now the third generation as well. Babuji always upheld the essence of journalism. Despite complaints to Indira Gandhi that he was a Congress member and still published news items against his own leaders, he maintained journalistic integrity and explained to Indira Gandhi that his roles as a party leader and a journalist, both were distinctly different. As a minister in the state, he managed several important portfolios and left his mark on each one.

“I first met Babuji when I was a mayor. He had more interaction with my father. When I was mayor, he would lovingly invite me to the Lokmat Bhavan in Nagpur and offer some suggestions. He treated me with great affection. He was a master in bonding with people,” he said.

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