Gopi Chand Bhargava: Leader.

Gopi Chand Bhargava – First President of ‘Gandhi Memorial Fund’, Gandhian leader, freedom fighter and first Chief Minister of Punjab
Gopi Chand Bhargava was indeed a prominent Indian freedom fighter, a Gandhian leader, and the first Chief Minister of Punjab after India’s independence. He was also the first President of the ‘Gandhi Memorial Fund’.
Born on December 12, 1890, in a village called Basantpur in the Jhajjar district of Haryana, Bhargava was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and peaceful resistance. He actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle, joining the Indian National Congress in 1919.
Bhargava was imprisoned several times for his participation in various protests and movements against British rule. He was also one of the leaders of the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928, which was a successful nonviolent resistance movement against the British-imposed tax on salt.
After India gained independence in 1947, Bhargava became the first Chief Minister of Punjab. During his tenure, he implemented several policies aimed at improving the lives of the people of Punjab, particularly in the areas of education and health. He also played a crucial role in the reorganization of the state of Punjab in 1966, which led to the formation of Haryana as a separate state.
In 1948, Bhargava became the first President of the ‘Gandhi Memorial Fund’, which was established to promote and perpetuate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals of truth, non-violence, and self-reliance.
Bhargava passed away on March 27, 1966, at the age of 75. He is remembered as a great leader who dedicated his life to the service of his country and its people.