Freedom Fighter Gopaldas Purecha refused to take pension from the government,” says son of Kutch Mandvi -based freedom fighter.
Many people came together to fight for the country’s
independence. However, not much has been written about them. Gopaldas
Purecha also fought for the uplift of the socio-economic standard
of Indian people by pioneering the Non-Cooperation Movement and Quit
India Moment. However, his contribution during the freedom struggle is
not to be missed. Gujarat - Kutch Mandvi -based Gopaldas Mavji Purecha's Childhood Name Among Community was Kaku Bhai ,
who fought to secure India’s freedom, died at age of 68 on July 29,
1982. Gopaldas also known as Manvendranath Azad also Kakubhai Bhatia was a part
of Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India Movement in 1942. His family believes
that even after his death, Gopaldas’s ideologies and thoughts continue
to remain alive in their hearts.
Gopaldas was born in Kuchh Mandvi,Purecha Dello,Sachalo
Falio,Near Vegitable Market, in 1914. Without a single clue what future
holds for him, at the age of 18, Gopaldas traveled to Darwha Moti Bagh
Junction railway station, which is a small railway station in Yavatmal
district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. He came here to provide
support to his Father Mavji Virji Purecha and elder brother Mr.Morarji
Mavji Purecha for Family Bussness M/s.Laxmidas Gopaldas & Sons.
After some years he moved to Mumbai to earn a living. Pravin Purecha,
his son, recalled, “He was only 20 when he came to Mumbai. In 1932,
Gandhi had organised a rally which he attended. After listening to
Gandhi’s ideologies, my father was left impressed and decided to join
the struggle to secure the country’s freedom.”
The Government of Maharashtra in recognition of his
Services as Freedom Fighter, suo moto, included his Name in Prestigious
List of Freedom Fighters. At the age of 26, he took part in Quit India
Movement with Dr.Amul Desai (Nephew of Ex.Prime Minister Late Morarji
Desai) from Pune "Nivritee Banglow" (Family Resident) they planted bomb
in Military Camp Pune, British Police got a key clue that two Khaadi
Dress Wala, by Loacal Loundry Man and arrested by British Police and
were convicted by court. After he took active part in Quit India
Movement, he avoided arrest and since then worked underground. Was
responsible for various activities, which sustained and maintained Quit
India Movement for years together i.e. in the year 1942-43. His
contribution to the National Movement now gets recognition from
the Government of Maharashtra, when Government included his name in a
prestigious list of Freedom Fighters, Tamra Patra And SILVER MEDAL also
given by Ex prime Minister Mrs.INDIRA GANDHI in 1972 at Sannmukhananda
Hall MUMBAI. Without any request or application, and has also granted
Pension to him. But he refused to take pension from the government’.
Gopaldas Purecha participated in several movements like he
Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant phase of the Indian
independence movement from British rule.... It aimed to resist British
rule in India through nonviolent means,"satyagraha"....Non Coparation,
but the remarkable one was when he planted a bomb in Pune’s military
camp. Pravin said, “They wanted to send across a message to the
Britishers so they planted a bomb in Pune. After the plan was executed,
they were hiding from the British policemen. However, they managed to
capture my father in 1942. He was later sent to Yerwada Jail of Pune
where he accompanied Gandhi.Manvendranath Azad Name Given by Mahatma
Gandhi at 1942 in Yarwada Jail Pune.”
He was in the prison for nearly 14 months along with
Morarji Desai, Amol Desai, Dinkar Sakharikar, Mr.Waradkar, Dattarey
Mahadev Angare,Gulab Gawand,Tabji Bhai Solanki and Dada Dharmadhikari.
After his release, he returned to Mumbai.”
In 1972, Indira Gandhi had felicitated several freedom
fighters and offered Life time Pension for all Freedom Fighters to
financial help. However, Pravin recalled that his father politely
refused everything. “He always said that he fought for the country and
that he didn’t need money in return. He even denied pension provided by
the government,” said the proud son.
Gopaldas Mavji Purecha was born on the Diwali Dhan Teras
Day on the 16th October 1914 and passed away on the 29th July 1982. He
was a major influence on our lives. He studied at in Kutch Mandvi.After
he join his father`s firm M/s.Gopaldas Laxmidas & sons..State
Maharashtra,Region Vidarbha District Yawatmal Dist.Dharwa-.his mother in
Kutch with his youngest brothers Mulraj and Babu @ Laxmidas. Later, he
joined firm Oriental Mills Bombay.T hen after sum Month He started a
partnership firm of Destember coulors in Thane- Mumbai. Only three years
later with havy loss in Bussines he Joined Mafatlal Mills and married
Gunvanti, daughter of Bhatia Leeladhar Baba seth Anand.(Dharan Gaon). He
then became the manager of Mafatlal Mill-Mumbai. His reputation grew
and he was regarded as an able manager and also a good Coardinater of
the Sadguru Seva Sangh.a Relief Missionery. He was totally in-charge of
Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust From 1968 to 1978, is primarily a Social
Service organization, established in 1968 by Param Pujya Gurudev, Late
Shri Ranchhoddasji Maharaj, with the sole objective of selfless..
After the freedom struggle, Gopaldas continued to do social work and served the citizens.
