August 11, 2001

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COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON CHAUDHARY BRAHM PRAKASH RELEASED

    The Minister of Communications Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today released a commemorative postage stamp on Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, the first Chief Minister of Delhi at a function here. Shri Paswan said that Chaudhary Brahm Prakash was a champion of the cause of Dalits in the country. He fought for the rights of the downtrodden and his crusade should be carried on by present generation, he added. He urged upon people not to divide people on the basis of cast and suggested that social justice should be ensured for one and all.

    Chaudhary Brahm Prakash (1918-1993) was a leader known for his self-less public service, social commitment and organisational abilities. He played an important role in the Individual Satyagraha Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1940 and was among the leaders of the ‘underground’ activities in Delhi during the ‘Quit India’ movement. He was imprisoned many times during the freedom struggle.

    In the post-independence era, he served as Minister in charge of Planning and Development as well as the Chief Minister. His stints in the Parliament twice won him accolades as an able parliamentarian. He also made noteworthy contributions as the Union Cabinet Minister for Food, Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperatives.

    The cause of depressed sections of the society, rural development and empowerment of the weaker sections were issues which were very close to the heart of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash. He was quick to realise the potential of cooperative societies in mitigating the hardships of the village folks. As early as in 1945, he started organising village and agriculture cooperatives. He was also a proponent of the Panchayati Raj institutions. He organised the National Union of Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities in 1977 to work for the welfare of these weaker sections.

    Issued by the Department of Posts, the stamp is in the denomination of four rupees. The First Day Cover along with the information sheet is available on sale at all Philatelic Bureaus/Counters and at selected Post Offices.