Raj Narain
A commemorative postage stamp on ‘Lokbandhu‘ Raj Narayan, won in famous electoral malpractice case against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which led to her disqualification and imposition of Emergency in 1975 and defeated her during 1977 Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh :
Issued by India
Issued on Mar 23, 2007
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Shri Raj Narain.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Multicolor
Denomination : 500 Paise
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Printing Process : Wet–offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Name : Raj Narain
Born on 1917 at Motikoat, Gangapur, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died on Dec 31, 1986
About :
- Raj Narain was a great freedom fighter and an eminent parliamentarian. He was born in 1917 in a village named Motikoat, Gangapur in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. He was from the Royal family of Varanasi and directly related to Maharaja Balwant Singh, the King of Varanasi. After completing his post-graduation and LLB, he joined Socialist Party and held many party positions. He was very close to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya who described him as “a person who has heart of a Lion and practices of Gandhi”. Along with Dr. Lohiya, he was one of the strongest pillars of socialist movement in the country.
- He was the President of Student Congress during Quit India Movement in 1942. He led the movement in and around Varanasi district. He was so active in the freedom struggle that the British Government wanted to get hold of him and ordered a prize of Rs. 5000/- for getting him dead or alive. An active participant in the Quit India Movement and all the campaigns connected with the freedom struggle, he suffered imprisonment many times.
- A staunch socialist, Shri Raj Narain devoted his life to fighting exploitation and injustice in society. The spirit of socialism was the sheet anchor of his political career. He always worked for the upliftment of the poor, workers, labourers and downtrodden people.
- Shri Raj Narain had a long and distinguished political career. He was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for two terms, from 1952 to 1962. He was the first ‘Leader of Opposition’ of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, after independence. He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1966 to 1972 and again from 1974 to 1976. He was the Minister of Health in the Central Cabinet from 1977 to 1980. He was also a famous politician who as a candidate of Janata Party in 1977, defeated Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, in Lok Sabha election from Rai Bareli constituency.
- Shri Raj Narain was a man of masses. He strove hard for political freedom, economic justice, social equality and cultural advancement of the people and was therefore known as ‘Lokbandhu’ rather than ‘Loknayak’.
- He died on 31st December 1986.
- Text : Based on the material provided by Uttar Pradesh Circle.
