Babuji’s fearless journalism inspiration for Maha: Bagade

 Media Coverage  |  26-11-2024

Rajasthan governor pays floral tributes to veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda at ‘Prerna Sthal’ in Yavatmal

Lokmat News Network Yavatmal

“Veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda plunged into the freedom struggle at the age of 17 and was later imprisoned for 18 months. After India gained independence, he planted a sapling of journalism to give a new direction to the society thereby setting an ideal of fearless and courageous journalism which is an inspiration for entire Maharashtra,” said Rajasthan governor  Haribhau Bagade on Monday.

Bagade was speaking at the ‘Smruti Samaroh’ ,  a programme organised to mark the 27th death anniversary of veteran freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat Media Group Jawaharlal Darda alias ‘Babuji’, here.

Earlier, Bagade paid floral tributes to ‘Babuji’ at  ‘Prerna Sthal’.

Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda, editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Group and former Maharashtra minister Rajendra Darda, newly-elected MLA from Yavatmal Balasaheb Mangulkar and head of Lokmat office in Yavatmal Kishor Darda were seated on the dais.

Speaking further, Bagade said, “At the age of 17, ‘Babuji’ met Mahatma Gandhi in Wardha and sought his permission to participate in the freedom struggle. However, looking at his age, Gandhiji did not allow him to do so.

Later, on August 18, 1940, ‘Babuji’ joined the ‘satyagraha’ agitation for which he was arrested and sent to Jabalpur jail. He served a 18-month jail term where Subhash Chandra Bose was also imprisoned,” Bagade recalled.

After India gained independence, ‘Babuji’ turned to journalism and started a weekly ‘Nave Jag’ in 1949. In 1952, ‘Babuji’ started a bi-weekly Lokmat and in 1962, the  weekly Lokmat and then on December 15, he started Lokmat as a daily newspaper from Nagpur, ” Bagade added.

“Babuji’s aim was to get justice for all the sections of the society through journalism,” Bagade said, adding “Babuji” was always known for a strong and fearless journalism.

Going down the memory lane, the Rajasthan governor shared an anecdote. He said, “When Shankarrao Chavan was the chief minister, ‘Babuji’ carried a news report in Lokmat regarding a farmer mortgaging his daughter to a moneylender for an outstanding loan. The Maharashtra Assembly session was in progress at that time and the Opposition members cornered the then government on the particular issue in the House. Some ruling members, taking strong objection over the news, had demanded to seize Lokmat’s property. However, a fearless ‘Babuji’ gave a strong reply in the House saying, “You can seize the property, but can’t seize the fearless journalism,” Bagade said.

While serving as a Cabinet minister in Vasantdada Patil’s government in 1972, “Babuji” made efforts to establish industrial estates in major cities of Maharashtra,” Bagade recalled and added  “It was due to Babuji’s initiative that Shendra Industrial Estate was set up in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).”

During the BJP-Sena rule in 1995, a decision was taken to start nine five star industrial estates in Maharashtra. “The proposed industrial estate of Shendra, set up by ‘Babuji’ started when I was the minister,” Bagade said.

“Like Babuji, his sons Dr Vijay Darda and Rajendra Darda are taking the legacy of Lokmat forward, I also feel happy to take the Shendra MIDC work forward,” Bagade remarked.

I valued work over party: Dr Darda

“I want to make a special mention about two things today. First,  an active people’s representative Haribhau Bagade is present amongst us as the governor of Rajasthan. In a real sense, the post of governor has been honoured because of his taking over the charge. It is also an honour for the people of Maharashtra,” said Dr Vijay Darda. Second, Balasaheb Mangulkar, who always strives for the common man is now Yavatmal’s new MLA, is also present at the programme, Dr Darda added. Dr Darda said he valued work over party and promised to carry forward the thoughts of patriotism as laid down by ‘Babuji’.

Ideology of ‘Nana’ & ‘Babuji’ different, but both are patriotic, says Rajendra Darda

“Haribhau Bagade got elected as MLA for six terms. He became minister and then Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly. He is now successfully discharging the responsibility as the governor of Rajasthan,” said Rajendra Darda in his introductory speech.

“We call Bagade as ‘Nana’. Both ‘Nana’ and ‘Babuji’ belonged to different ideologies. However, they have a similarity as both of them are honest to their respective ideologies. Patriotism is the sole ideology of both ‘Babuji’ and Bagade,” Rajendra Darda added.

Rajasthan governor Haribhau Bagade, chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group Dr Vijay Darda, editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Group and former Maharashtra minister Rajendra Darda, veteran journalist Madhukar Bhave, newly-elected MLA Balasaheb Mangulkar, former MLA Kirti Gandhi, Kishor Darda, Yogesh Parwekar paying tributes to veteran freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat Media Group Jawaharlal Darda alias ‘Babuji’ on his 27th death anniversary at Prerna Sthal in Yavatmal on Monday. (R) A large gathering of people offering their tributes to ‘Babuji’. Rajesh Tickley

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