B. G. Kher
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher | |
|---|---|
Prime Minister of Bombay State | |
| In office 30 March 1946 – 15 August 1947 | |
| Governor | John Colville |
| Preceded by | Governor's Rule |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished (Himself as Chief Minister) |
| In office 19 July 1937 – 2 November 1939 | |
| Governor | Robert Duncan Bell |
| Preceded by | Dhanjishah Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Governor's Rule |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1888 British India |
| Died | 8 March 1957 (aged 68) Pune, Bombay State, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Alma mater | Wilson College |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician, Social worker, Solicitor |
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (24 August 1888 – 8 March 1957[1][2]) was an Indian politician who served as the prime minister of Bombay (1937–1939, 1946–1947) and the first chief minister (then called Premier[3]) of Bombay State (1947–1952). He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher was often described as "Sajjan", good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions.
Early life
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher was born on 24 August 1888 at
Mr. B.G. Kher along with Mr. Manilal Nanavati started a law firm called Manilal Kher & Co. The firm commenced practice on 7 June 1918. The firm was the only firm in Mumbai to have its inauguration ceremony being presided over by the renowned Judge, Mr. Justice Sir Frank C.O. Beaman. The firm's name was then changed to Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co.[6]
Political career
B. G. Kher's political career began in 1922. He was appointed as the Secretary of the
He became the second Prime Minister of the
He again became the Prime Minister of the Bombay province on 30 March 1946. He was instrumental in the establishment of Poona University (Now called the "Savitribai Phule Pune University"). A building in the university campus is named after him as "Kher Bhavan." Little Gibbs Road in Malabar Hill area of Mumbai was designated as B.G. Kher Marg in 1976. Kher was in office until 21 April 1952.
Kher was recuperating from an asthma attack at a private nursing home in Pune before he died on 8 March 1957.[7]
Reception
Kher allotted plots of land in Bandra East to people belonging to the Hindu-Khatik (Scheduled caste) community in 1950–51. That area is known as Kherwadi in his memory. Kher established schools and a hospital, and provided electricity and water supply for people staying in Kherwadi. The Hindu-Khatik community celebrates his birthday at his statue at the Nanda Deep Garden, Kala Nagar, Bandra East.[citation needed]
Declassified MI5 documents were appreciative of Kher and described him as preferable to other political candidates, due to his honesty, sincerity and a preference for the "Anglo" way of administration.[8]
References
- ^ a b "This Day That Age". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Indian autographers – Bal Gangadhar Kher". Indianautographs.com. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-0140107814.
- ISBN 978-0-7425-0881-1.
- ^ "B.G. Kher". Indian Post website.
- ^ "Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co. – Advocates, Solicitors and Notary – About us – History". Mkaco.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012.
- ^ "B.G. Kher Passes Away in Poona". The Indian Express. 9 March 1957. p. 5. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ Rashmee Roshan Lall (3 March 2007). "Krishna Menon a sick man, say MI5 documents". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013.
Further reading
- Kamath, M.V. B.G. Kher, The Gentleman Premier, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
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