The Pradyumna Bal Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony will begin at 5:30 PM on November 8 to commemorate the 93rd birth anniversary of the renowned journalist and political thinker.
Organizers have invited Ramchandra Rahi, a respected Gandhian and National President of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in New Delhi, to deliver the keynote address.
Born in 1939 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Rahi is the son of freedom fighter and socialist leader Panchdev Tiwari. He embraced Gandhian ideals early in life and has since championed ethical journalism, environmental sustainability, and communal harmony.
Over the decades, Rahi collaborated with national leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Vinoba Bhave. In Odisha, he worked alongside prominent figures like Rama Devi, Malati Devi, Nabakrushna Choudhury, and Manmohan Choudhury. During the Emergency, he resisted authoritarian rule and endured 19 months of imprisonment.
Shri Rahi is the editor of the bilingual journal Sansthakul in English and Hindi. He has authored several influential works on Gandhian philosophy, including Gram Sabha: Swarup O Sangathan, Badalte Gaon Badalte Log, and Tarun Vidroh, a Hindi translation of the French book Youth Revolt. In recognition of his contributions, Baba Amte honored him with the Acharya Vinoba National Award in 2003.
The Pradyumna Bal Memorial Lecture pays tribute to the founder of Pragativadi, a pioneer of value-based journalism and principled political thought. The event seeks to inspire future generations to uphold truth, integrity, and public service.
By spotlighting Gandhian thought and ethical leadership, this year’s lecture reaffirms the timeless relevance of Pradyumna Bal’s vision in today’s society.
