Samajwadi Pandit Ramkishan becomes "centenary man" at the age of 97

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Pandit Ramkishan, a famous socialist leader, was honoured with the title of "Shatabdi Purush" (Man of the Century) in New Delhi for his contribution to Indian socialism.

An Overview of the News

• The award was presented to him during the birth centenary celebrations of renowned socialist thinker and parliamentarian Madhu Limaye.

• Ramkishan is considered the most senior and distinguished figure in Indian socialism and has been recognized as the "Socialist Centenary Man".

• The event was attended by several senior politicians including former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala and JDU leader KC Tyagi.

• Ramkishan took an active part in socialist movements led by other prominent leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Lohia and was jailed several times, including during the Emergency period.

• He served as a member of the Lok Sabha once in 1977 and was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly four times in 1962, 1967, 1974 and 1990.

• Ramkishan fought for the rights of tribals, Dalits and the poor and was arrested several times.

About Madhu Limaye

• Madhu Limaye was a prominent Indian socialist essayist and activist in the 1970s.

• She was a follower of Ram Manohar Lohia and a close associate of George Fernandes, and played a key role in building the socialist movement in India.

• She actively participated in the movement against the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975 and was involved in the formation of the Janata Party, which came to power at the Center after the Emergency was lifted.

• During his time in the Janata government, Limaye worked towards promoting socialist policies and ensuring social justice for all.