॥ आझाद हिंद मंडल ॥

बुधवारा, अमरावतीनोंदणी क्र. : र.न ५२२

Azad Hind Mandal, Budhwara, Amravati

Nationalism • Social Service • Cultural Heritage

During 1925–1930, the winds of India's freedom struggle were sweeping across the country. Budhwara is proudly remembered as the birthplace and inspiration of several national, religious, cultural and social movements in Amravati.

1925 - 1930

The Historical Background

During 1925–1930, the winds of India's freedom struggle were sweeping across the country. A new spirit of nationalism was emerging. Budhwara is proudly remembered as the birthplace of several national, religious, cultural and social movements. The entire region stood united against unjust British laws. Budhwara was the intellectual and patriotic heart of Amravati. Eminent personalities like Veer Vamanrao Joshi, Nanasaheb Bamangaonkar, B. R. Hambarde, Dr. Bhawanrao Mhaisalkar lived here. Lokmanya Tilak's nationalism and Gandhi's movement first flourished here. The present Haribhau Kaloti Memorial was headquarters of Home Rule Movement and weekly Swatantra Hindustan edited by Veer Vamanrao Joshi.
1926

Royal Club to Azad Hind Mandal

The Royal Club was established in 1926 under guidance of elders for youth. Young people participated enthusiastically in Kabaddi, atapatya, football, wrestling. The Royal Club was later renamed Azad Hind Mandal. Many members supported including Babasaheb Kaloti, Laddumia Gulabali, Kashinath Appa Hatole, Popatlal Raja, Lalasaheb Deshpande, Ambadaspant Vaidya, Baburao Konlade and others. Public Ganeshotsav started in 1928.
15 AUG 1948

Independence & Renaming

India finally attained independence on 15 August 1947. On 15 August 1948, the national flag was hoisted at Budhwara by Captain Shahnawaz Khan, a prominent officer of Subhas Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Fauj. From then onwards, Royal Club was renamed as Azad Hind Mandal, while Budhwara Chowk was renamed Veer Vamanrao Joshi Chowk. As Lokmanya Tilak's lecture had been held at adjacent Chowk, it became popularly known as Tilak Chowk.
88 YEARS JOURNEY

Mandal's Journey of 88 Years

For last 88 years, Mandal has continued to progress with cooperation of city residents. It has contributed to social, cultural and sports development. In political field, members have held important positions such as Corporators, Mayors, MLAs and MPs. Activities include eye check-up camps, spectacles distribution, blood donation camps, clothes to underprivileged children, assistance to elderly in old-age homes during Diwali. Ancient public Hanuman Temple, Haribhau Kaloti Memorial, Bhau Kohale Smriti Bhavan, Dattatraya Pushtakar Rangmanch and other facilities have been established. Public utilities like Nanasahab Bamangaonkar Library, Ambadaspant Vaidya Ayurvedic Hospital, Subhashbhau Pushtakar Modern Gymnasium are operated. Equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed at Maltekdi through efforts of Shri Haribhau Kaloti.
IDEOLOGY

Mandal's Ideology

"Samatvam Yogamuchyate" is the motto of the Mandal. The Mandal believes in treating all living beings with equality, resisting injustice while remaining steadfast in face of suffering. Mandal has never deviated from these principles. Discrimination based on social status, caste or religion has no place. People belonging to different religions and castes actively participate. Activities are carried out in harmonious and inclusive manner. People belonging to different political parties and holding different ideologies come together and work with shared sense of belonging. Mandal has always advocated equality, purity of thought and inclusive humanism.
99 Years of Ganeshotsav Journey
1926 - 1928
Since 1926, children encouraged in traditional games and physical activities like hockey, football, atapatya, morning processions and Surya Namaskar. In 1928, public Ganesh idol installed at house of Girirao Anna Deshpande. Azad Hind Mandal Ganeshotsav gradually developed into grand festival. Initially, Kumaras collected donations from one or two annas to carry idol on heads and install on platform. They placed stones and soil, levelled area and decorated beautifully. During first seventeen years, small programmes like games, competitions, songs, dialogues presented by children.

Later, grand processions became integral. Beautiful decorations created, programmes including sports competitions, plays, lectures, singing organised throughout ten-day festival. After 15 Aug 1947, members incorporated national games and patriotic performances. Initially idol placed on head of Shri Otekar, later carried on shoulders. Subsequently carried in grand procession with Vajantari, Band Baja and Bhajani Mandals. In 25th year, procession featured 25 decorated bullock carts, swings and posters of freedom fighters. One attraction was wrestlers wearing tiger masks dancing to folk band. As time passed, tractor-trolleys introduced. Boys and girls performed Lezim, Tipri, Dhangari dance. Tableaus, bands, dancers presented on four-wheeled iron trolley.

In 2012, on 85th anniversary, deity Vitthal-Rukmini of Pandharpur presented. Two horses from Ringan ceremony of Pandharpur joined procession. This was historic moment for Amravati.

In 1954, Mandal celebrated Silver Jubilee Festival during Ganeshotsav. During this year, grand idol of Shri Ganesha installed with beautiful decorations. Huge procession carrying idol taken through city. During Panchrati, idol ceremonially waved at various places, while large crowds gathered on both sides. President of Silver Jubilee Festival was famous industrialist Shri Shankarlal Rathi, and Secretary was Shri Haribhau Kaloti. Year's cultural programme attended by renowned artists including Mrs. Hirabai Badodekar, Mrs. Jyotsana Bhole, Saraswati Rane and Shri Panditrao Nagarkar.

Mandal celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 13 September 1980. For this year's Ganeshotsav, marble statue of Shri Ganesha specially ordered from Jaipur. Statue still installed in public Hanuman Temple. Grand procession taken through city. Girls performed Lezim, Anmoda dance and Tipri, while boys presented Naga dance, Lezim, Bhangra. Golden Jubilee inaugurated by Padmashree Dr. Shivajirao Patwardhan. Programme attended by Shri Bapusaheb Karanjkar, while Mrs. Prabhavati Raje (Madras) was Chief Guest and Shri Haribhau Kaloti was President. Debate competition on topic "Inter-caste marriages are necessary to eradicate casteism" organised. Programmes including storytelling by Mrs. Fadnavis, singing by Mrs. Sulochana Chavan, Sugam Sangeet by Mrs. Pushpa Paghadare, Mumbai's famous Swarjankar Orchestra, drama Chandrarao More – Janata Ajanata staged. On occasion, Azad Kala Darshan organised on 1 October 1980 where senior artists like Manoharrao Kavishwar, Krishnarao Varhekar, Nanasahab Sathe returned to stage. Prize distribution ceremony held.

Diamond Jubilee year of Mandal brought together old and new generations in spirit of unity and celebration. During this year, activists resolved that silver idol of Shri Ganesha should be installed on premises to commemorate Diamond Jubilee. Initiative successfully completed, silver-line idol weighing 21 kilograms prepared. After Ganeshotsav celebrations, idol installed at Haribhau Kaloti Memorial. Diamond Jubilee procession taken through city in traditional manner. Spectacular lighting and sound system installed on Mandal premises up to Ambagate. Renowned artists from different parts of India attended festival. Senior citizens, women and youth from area participated enthusiastically.

Visits of Saints to the Mandal

Over the years, several revered saints and spiritual leaders visited the Mandal and blessed devotees including Sant Gadge Maharaj, Tukdoji Maharaj, Achyut Maharaj, Jitendranath Maharaj, Vairagkar Maharaj, Rajeshwar Maharaj, H. B. P. Panchgavhankar Maharaj, Muralidhar Maharaj (Yelki), Govind Swami Aphale, Apamarjane and Yogeshwar Upasnik. Their visits remain an important part of spiritual and cultural history.

Visits of Distinguished Personalities

Over the years, several distinguished personalities visited Mandal and appreciated its social, cultural and humanitarian contributions including Captain Shahnawaz Khan, Shivajirao Patwardhan, Pratibha Tai Patil, Manohar Joshi, Dadasaheb Gavai, Ramrao Adik, Sheshrao Wankhede, Dada Kondke, Darasingh, Anil Kapoor, Yuktamukhi, Sulochana Chavan and Hirabai Badodekar. Their visits have further strengthened Mandal's commitment to social service, cultural preservation, national consciousness and humanitarian values.