Hailing from a most talented Lohana family of Bhavnagar, Amrutlal Vithaldas Thakkar (29 November 1869-19 January 1951), affectionately known all over India as Thakkar Bapa, was destined to be most successful Engineer or a businessman, but the Grand Old Man of India opted to devote his entire life for the upliftment of the subalterns. Even before he was to complete his 80th year on 29 November 1949, 38 leaders of India including the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad and even the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Shri Krishnakumar Singh ji made an appeal to bring out a Commemoration Volume and to present it at a formal ceremony in Delhi to Thakkar Bapa on his forthcoming birthday.
“He is truly the Grand Old Man of India to-day. There is no figure in the country more venerated than Bapa…It is needless to recount his various fields of untiring service such as famine relief work, Bhill Seva, Harijan Seva, Kasturba work and, indeed, the service of all sections of humanity that are neglected.” Nehru had called him “an institution in this country” by long years of service of tribal and other backward peoples, who need such service most of all. The Sardar wrote for the true lieutenant of Mahatma Gandhi: “The Nation has reason to feel grateful to him.”
India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869-30 January 1948) this year. Not many people or even the rulers may be aware that this is year is also the year of 150th birth anniversary of Kasturba (11 April 1869- 22 February 1944) and Thakkar Bapa as well.
Of course, Dahod in Gujarat, where he spent his precious 12 long years in the service of the tribals and dalits, does not forget Thakkar Bapa. Bapa had established Bhil Seva Mandal here in 1922 and one of the students of his institution, Gopal Dhanka who runs various educational institutions and his Gurjar Bharti Trust organized a special mega function to pay tribute to the Grand Old Man of India, inviting this writer to deliver a memorial lecture. Even Narsinh Hathila, the 91- year old Chairman of Bhil Seva Mandal graced the occasion.
The erstwhile Panchmahal District does remember Thakkar Bapa but,unfortunately, the place of his birth and death i.e. Bhavnagar, has almost forgotten the man who contributed so much for the the welfare of the countrymen even while being the member of the Constituent Assembly!
The Bhil Seva Mandal has reprinted the book “Thakkar Bapa” written by Kantilal M. Shah on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the Bapa. Thanks to a friend Ashish Kharod of IPCL, we could establish contact with Sahdeo Anantrai Thakkar of Thakkar Bapa family. He enlightened us about the Grand Old Man of India family. Though the roots of the Thakkar family are in Bhavnagar, the members of the extended family live in UK and USA too. Thakkar Bapa had married twice. His only son survived for just six years. The Bapa had six brothers and one sister. The eldest Parmananda had three sons and grand as well as great grand children. Let’s not forget such towering personality who inspires us for the selfless service.
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Lesser Known Facets of Pakistan Rulers
