B. G. Kher
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (also known as B. G. Kher) (Template:Lang-mr) (August 24, 1888 – March 8, 1957[1][2]) was the first chief minister (then called prime minister) of Bombay State which consisted of present day Maharastra and Gujrat States of India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher were often described as “Sajjan”, good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions. Declassified MI5 documents show him however as a crony anglophile.[3]
Early life
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher was born on August 24, 1888 at Ratnagiri in a middle class Karhade Brahmin[4][4] family. He spent some years of his boyhood at Kundgol in the then Jamkhandi State. Later, he migrated at the instance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale to Pune to study at the New English School. Later he obtained the degree of B.A. in 1908 from the Wilson College, with high distinction and received the Bhau Daji Lad prize for standing first in Sanskrit.[5]
Mr. B.G. Kher along with Mr. Manilal Nanavati started a law firm called Manilal Kher & Co. The firm commenced practice on 7 June 1918. The firm was the only firm in Mumbai to have its inauguration ceremony being presided over by the renowned Judge, Mr. Justice Sir Frank C.O. Beaman. The firm's name was then changed to Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co.[6]
B.G.Kher allotted plot’s in Bandra East to people belonging to Hindu-Khatik (Scheduled caste) in 1950-51 now that area is known as KHERWADI Scheme. He developed Schools, Hospital, Electrcity and Water supply for people staying in Kherwadi, Bandra East, Mumbai-400 051. People belonging to Hindu-Khatik and also the benefitaries of this schemes are always remembering Mr B.G.KHER by there area name as KHERWADI (KHER’s WADI-AREA) and they are celebrating KHER birthday at statue of B.G.Kher established on Nanda Deep Garden, Kala Nagar, Bandra East by Hindu-Khatik Samaj.
Political career
B. G. Kher's political career began in 1922 and he was chosen as Secretary of the Bombay branch of the Swaraj Party.[1] During the Civil disobedience movement he was arrested and sentenced to eight months' rigorous imprisonment and fine in 1930. He was again arrested in 1932 and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment and fine. He became the first prime minister of Bombay Province in 1937 and continued in office till October, 1939. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1940. During the Quit India struggle, he was again arrested and imprisoned in August, 1942. He was released from prison on July 14, 1944. He again became prime minister of Bombay province on March 30, 1946. He was instrumental in the establishment of Poona University (Now called "University of Pune". A building in the university campus is named after him as Kher Bhavan. He was in office till April 21, 1952. He died in Pune on March 8, 1957.
B.G.Kher allotted plot’s in Bandra East to people belonging to Hindu-Khatik (Scheduled caste) in 1950-51 now that area is known as KHERWADI Scheme. He developed Schools, Hospital, Electrcity and Water supply for people staying in Kherwadi, Bandra East, Mumbai-400 051. People belonging to Hindu-Khatik and also the benefiters of this schemes are always remembering Mr B.G.KHER by there area name as KHERWADI (KHER’s WADI-AREA) and they are celebrating KHER birthday at statue of B.G.Kher established on Nanda Deep Garden, Kala Nagar, Bandra East by Hindu-Khatik Samaj.
Notes
- ^ a b "This Day That Age". The Hindu. March 9, 2007.
- ^ "Indian autographers - Bal Gangadhar Kher". Indianautographs.com. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-03-03/rest-of-world/27888109_1_krishna-menon-indian-high-commissioner-documents.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b Growing Up Untouchable in India: A Dalit Autobiography - Vasant Moon, Gail Omvedt - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
- ^ "B.G. Kher". Indian Post website.
- ^ "Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co. - Advocates, Solicitors and Notary - About us - History". Mkaco.com. 1918-06-07. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
Further reading
- Kamath, M.V. B.G. Kher, The Gentleman Premier, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.