Page 5 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

foreword

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was called the ‘Maker of
Modern India” by Mahatma Gandhi. Indeed he was a towering,
multi faceted personality who lived in times of great change
when the future of India was being moulded. His unique
personality influenced the leaders of the time and his work
laid the foundation for arousing the people in a unified desire
for independence and social progress. During his lifetime he
studied with accomplishment, Mathematics, Law, Astronomy
and Sanskrit Language. He started a school, a college, Marathi,
and English newspapers Kesari and Maharatta respectively, and
the first co-operative factory, vocational training institution and
Swadeshi bank. He drew the blueprint for national economic
independence, went to prison for a just cause, fought court
battles in India and England, and wrote very important books
on subjects as diverse as Astronomy, Origins of Aryans and The
Bhagvad Geeta. Such a person lives only once in an age. The
life of Lokmanya Tilak is indeed a beacon which can guide all
humanity, if we so choose, and his qualities of an enquiring
scientific mind, unwavering selfless patriotism, belief in the
right and just action according to one’s conscience with total
disregard to personal consequences, dignity and uprightness
should be emulated by all.
Mahatma Gandhi has very rightly described ‘Lokmanya
Tilak’ as an ocean. I am of the same opinion. Despite reading
or understanding about Tilak for so many years, every time I
read about him, his views and foresight amaze me and make me
think from a new perspective and from different angles.

01st August 2020 was the death centenary of Lokmanya Bal
Gangadhar Tilak. The Deccan Education Society and IMDR
owe a debt of gratitude to him as he was one of their founders.
As a tribute to him, the Deccan Education Society is publishing
a book ‘SWATANTRATA to ATMANIRBHARTA: Lokmanya
Tilak’s Legacy’