(Late) Baldev Tarachand Gajra
[Late] Baldev Tarachand Gajra was born on 9 November 1909 in Shikarpur, Sind [Pakistan]. A graduate in Arts [B.A.], he later settled in Mumbai at Santacruz [West]. He was a committed freedom fighter and was imprisoned for a total of nearly three years between 1930 and 1942. Alongside his role in the freedom movement, he was also known as a fearless and articulate writer.
He made significant contributions to the promotion of Sindhi language, literature, and culture. He served as President of the Sindhi Boli, Sahitya & Kala Vikas Sabha and as General Secretary of the All India Sindhi Congressmen’s Forum. He was also a member of the Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy and the Sindhi Advisory Board under the Central Hindi Directorate, Government of India.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 9-11-1909
- Place of Birth: Shikarpur, Sind. (Pakistan)
- Academic Attainments: B.A.
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India.
As Journalist
He edited Sindhi Weekly Newspaper known as 'Bharatwasi'. He launched Bharatvasi in 1953 and continued till he breathed his last in 1991.
Recognition By Way Of Awards / Honours
Baldev Gajra never believed in accepting Awards / Honours. However, he could not escape receiving the following:
- Sindhi Shriman, Title, 1991 [At Mumbai by Sindhi Seva Mandal]
- Award for his Distinguished Contribution in the field of journalism, 1992 [At Mumbai by Freedom Fighters Association].
Additional Information
- Baldev Gajra was freedom fighter. He was jailed for about 3 years [aggregate] between 1930 to 1942. He was also fearless writer.
- President Sindhi Boli, Sahitya & Kala Vikas Sabha.
- General Secretary, All India Sindhi Congressmen's Forum.
- Member, Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy.
- Member, Sindhi Advisory Board. [Central Hindi Directorate, Govt. of India.]
Finale
Baldev Gajra was a freedom fighter who was jailed for about three years in aggregate in the British period. Mr. Baldev Gajra took to journalism after independence when he started a weekly paper Bharatvasi in 1953, ran it single handedly successfully and regularly till his death in 1991. Mr. Gajra was the man of strong convictions. A hardcore patriot and nationalist, he wrote poetry also under the pen name Gumnam. Mr. Gajra was also a literary critic and essayist. His magnum opus Azadi Je Yudh Mein Sind Jo Bhag won him a great acclaim.