new Delhi: Today is the 107th death anniversary of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who made the biggest contribution to the Indian freedom struggle. He was a great social reformer and educationist who provided exemplary leadership to India’s independence movement. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a disciple of Mahadev Govind Ranade. He has been called the ‘Gladstone’ of India for his unparalleled understanding of financial matters and his ability to argue authoritatively.
He was the most famous moderate in the Indian National Congress. Fully agreeing with the need for character building, he established the Servants of India Society in the year 1905. Because youth can get training for public life. Gokhale believed that scientific and technical education is an important need of India.
Birth
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May 1866 in Kotluk, Maharashtra. His father’s name was Krishna Rao and his mother Walubai was a domestic lady. Gokhale’s early education was completed from Rajaram High School, Kotluk. He passed the BA examination at the age of 18. The Poona (Pune) of that time was the center of many social and educational activities.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale taught at Ferguson College. He taught mathematics and English. He was a successful teacher. Both his colleagues and disciples admired him. In Poona, Gokhale came in contact with Judge Ranade. He was greatly influenced by Ranade’s life and thoughts. And they became his disciples.
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politics
Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s life got a new direction after meeting with Lokmanya Tilak in 1885. He was greatly influenced by Tilak’s speeches. After which he met Ranade. Seeing Ranade’s work, Gokhale’s interest in social work started increasing. And he took the membership of the Indian National Congress. He was the most moderate leader of the Indian National Congress.
He became the President of INC at the Banaras session in 1905. He founded an organization called ‘Servants of India Society’ which was dedicated to the cause of common people. He had good knowledge of English, due to which he was able to express himself without hesitation and utmost clarity.
Society related work
Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in the year 1905 for the expansion of Indian education. He was also associated with ‘Sarvak Sabha Patrika’ started by Mahadev Govind Ranade. He also founded the Ranade Institute of Economics in the year 1908. Not only this, Gokhale also started the English weekly newspaper ‘The Hitavad’.
It was Gokhale who had taught Gandhi to understand the country.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale had taught the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi to understand the country. The Father of the Nation, Gandhi considered him as his political guru. It was Gokhale who advised Mahatma Gandhi to travel the whole country and understand India. Mahatma Gandhi was a great admirer of Gokhale and accepted him as his political mentor. Mahatma Gandhi was most influenced by Gokhale.
truthful ideal man
Mahatma Gandhi had said about Gopal Krishna Gokhale that I was looking for a perfect truthful ideal man in India and found him in the form of Gokhale. He had true love and genuine reverence for India in his heart. They should be beyond all their pleasures and selfishness for the service of the country.
goodbye to the world
To free India from the slavery of the British, this son of Mother India died on 19 February 1915. Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who was a pioneer in the freedom struggle, was full of patriotism and spirituality. He was active in political work and social work even in his last days. He was also employed in the self-established Bharat Samaj Sevak.