Dr. N.S. Hardikar
A commemorative postage stamp on the Birth Centenary of Dr. Narayana Subbarao Hardikar, founder of Congress Seva Dal :
Issued by India
Issued on May 13, 1989
Description of Designs : The stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road, the First Day Cover by Samresh Chatterjee and the cancellation by Nenu Gupta.
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Single colour
Denomination : 60 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Indigenous unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated stamp paper
Number Printed : 10,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printed : India Security Press
Name : Narayan Subbarao Hardikar
Born on May 7, 1889 at Dharwad, Dharwad district, Karnataka, India
Died on Aug 26, 1975
About :
- Dr. Narayana Subbarao Hardikar, imbibed in himself the ideas of patriotism, freedom and service to the people. He was born on 7th May, 1889. He was the son of Shri Subbarao and Smt. Yamunabai. He lost his father after a short span of his birth. In spite of his poverty, he took medical education. After obtaining the degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Calcutta he went to America for higher education where he met Lala Lajpat Rai. As his intimate colleague, Hardikar participated in many programmes in America. He was the President of the Hindustan Association of America. He organised an Indian student’s convention in Chicago and joined the Home Rule League founded by Lala ji. With Lala ji, he published a journal ‘Young India‘. During the visits of various States of America and Canada, he apprised the emigrant Indians about the freedom struggle of India.
- He was influenced by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai. On his return to India, he abjured all personal pleasures. He participated in all the movements conducted by the Congress and was appointed General Secretary of Karnataka Congress Committee and also elected as a Member of All India Congress Committee. In protest against the atrocities of British Police on the flag procession and insult of National Flag, a movement was launched at Nagpur which was led by Dr. Hardikar. He went to jail many times. He thought of an organisation of disciplined and trained youth of strong character. Consequently ‘Seva Dal‘ was formed in the Kakinada session of Congress on 27th December, 1923. In 1925, Dr. Hardikar published a monthly journal named ‘Volunteer‘ and devoted himself to the cause of the Seva Dal entirely. He was always at the forefront in the freedom struggle. Perhaps the crowning act of his social service was the founding of the Karnataka Health Institute at Ghataprabha.
- Dr. Hardikar was elected twice for the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1962. Hardikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1958. His dress was typical of a Seva Dal Volunteer – half pants, half sleeved shirt and a Gandhi Cap – all in Khadi.
- He passed away on 26th August, 1975.
- Text: Based on material supplied by Shri Rameshwar Neekhra, M.P.
