Jamshedpur recalls Bapu's three visits

JAMSHEDPUR: Mahatma Gandhi had close association with Jamshedpur then Kalimati. He visited the Steel City then in undivided Bihar now in Jharkhand on three occasions. Mahatma first visited the city in 1917 when he was travelling from his Wardha ashram to Champaran in Bihar to address the problems of farmers there.

Bapu visited the city next in 1925. This visit had a great significance in the history of the city and Tata Steel then Tisco as he had laid the foundation of Tata Workers Union office. Sources said a makeshift union office started operating from a company quarter in Bistupur. Later a full-fledged union office was inaugurated by trade union leader Abdul Bari in Bistupur, fulfilling the dreams of Bapu. Later, Michael John auditorium was built on the premises of the union office, which is also a witness of several historic meetings. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi had inaugurated the auditorium in 1994, said sources.

Notably, Netaji was the president of Tata Workers Union for 9 years between 1928 and 1937.

During that visit Mahatma had spent good amount of time with the workers of the company. He listened to their problems. He had even held a public meeting at the United Club, which was attended by large number of people from various walks of life.

Sources said Gandhiji in his public speech pointed out how he is helped by the Tatas in the ongoing freedom struggle. He was accompanied by Rajendra Prasad who later became the first President of India. Frontier Gandhi was also with him during that visit.

Bapu’s third visit to the city was in 1934 with Jawaharlal Nehru . During the course of the visit the two leaders had visited the steel works, said sources.

Gandhiji and Jawaharlal also visited many bustees around Sonari and Sakchi areas. The duo tried to collect funds for the development of Harijans living in that part of the city.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma, the East Singhbhum district Congress will organize several programmes starting from Oct 2 which will continue for a week, informed party media incharge Babloo Jha.