Ganpatrao Govindrao Jadhav

November 18, 2009

Ganpatrao Govindrao Jadhav

A commemorative postage stamp on Ganpatrao Jadhav, founder of Pudhari, a Marathi daily newspaper :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 18, 2009

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Dr. G.G. Jadhav.

Credits :
Stamp, FDC & Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

Name : Ganpatrao Govindrao Jadhav

Born on May 5, 1908 at Gaganbavada, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India

Died on May 20, 1987

About :

Dr. Ganpatrao Govindrao Jadhav was born on 04.05.1908 in Gaganbavada in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
He had his primary education in Kolhapur and Gaganbavada but could not continue his education due to poverty. However, he kept on reading various kinds of books and newspapers like “Vijayee Maratha” and “Kesari Maratha” which laid the foundation for his great journalistic career.
In the inspiring company of a member of the Bombay Legislative Council, Mr. Bhaskararao Jadhav and with future guidance from Keshavarao Jedhe and Dinkarrao Javalkar, G.G. Jadhav launched the newspaper “Kaiwari”, thus initiating his career as a journalist. His close association with stalwarts like Achyutarao Kolhatkar, Mama Varerkar, and M.G. Ranganekar also helped him shape his life intellectually.
Dr. Jadhav believed in service to society, especially to the poor and the downtrodden. He participated in social, political and worker’s movements in the erstwhile Mumbai state. The upliftment of Dalits and their rights were very close to his heart. He advocated that Dalits should not be discriminated against in entering temples. To show solidarity with the people, he alongwith Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and dalit youths forcefully entered into Kala Ram Mandir, which triggered a movement for equal rights for Dalits.
Dr. Jadhav was a great freedom fighter. In 1930 when the Civil Disobedience movement was launched, he was entrusted with the task of sending secret messages to volunteers by the President of Congress Bar Council. When the Salt Satyagraha movement of Karade Matwad near Navsari in Gujarat was launched by Gandhiji, Dr. Jadhav met him and informed him about the movement in Mumbai. Dr. Jadhav successfully took up the work of ensuring that the movement reaches the masses of western Maharashtra.
He was famous for the publication of the newspaper “Pudhari”, launched on 13^th May 1937 as a weekly newspaper but soon converted into a full-fledged daily newspaper on 1^st January 1939 due to its popularity. Dr. Jadhav used this newspaper as a tool to educate society. He was the first founder president of the Kolhapur Patrakar Sangha (Association of Journalists).
As a social reformer, he followed in the footsteps of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and joined the Satyashodhak movement to get rid of the various misconceptions and superstitions prevalent in the society. He was its president for many years. He was also a part of “Sanyukta Maharashtra Jan Andolan”. He led many movements for the farmer’s welfare and was the founder member of the District Agriculturist Co-operative Society. He also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Tararani Vidyapeeth, Mouni Vidyapeeth, etc. Dr. G.G. Jadhav was felicitated with “Kakasaheb Limye Award”, an honour for rural journalism, by the Poona Press Club in 1983 for his selfless, untiring and dedicated life. He was conferred with “Padmashri” by the President of India on 26^th January, 1984. Owing to his great social work the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangha offered him “Late Acharya Atre Award” on 13^th August, 1985. He was honoured with D.Lit. by Shivaji University, Kolhapur, in 1986.
Dr. G.G. Jadhav passed away on 20^th May, 1987. However the torch he kindled continues to spread its light.
Text : Based on the material provided by the proponents.