April 04, 1889 - January 30, 1968

Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvediji (1889-1968), after whom the Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, has been named, was an ace poet, writer and journalists of India who had acquired nation-wide renown not only for the excellence of literary creativity and might of his pen, but also for his undaunted participation in the national struggle for freedom of India. Panditji was a true disciple of Shri Balgangadhar Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, and was a rare combination of Tilak-like fiery patriotism and sacrifices and Gandhian  non-violence,  self abnegation and simplicity. He was the illustrious Editor of "Prabha" and later  "Karmaveer", the  journals which emitted fire at  the  British imperialism  and inspired  the contemporary generation  to throw off the yoke of alien slavery.

He himself was repeatedly incarcerated by the British rulers, and his  journal forcibly closed down  with forfeiture of security deposits by the Government time and again. But the British excess could not bend the will of the valiant patriot-poet, who, once out of jail, indefatigably restated his journal to mount assault against the British imperialists  as well  as  inner weaknesses and evils of the Indian society. After freedom was won in 1947, Panditji  refrained from seeking a share in power and pelf of the ruling set and continued to exhort the people through speech and writing to toss of social evils and build an exploitation-free, equitable society as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

Here is a very famous Poem "Pushp Ki Abhilasha" of Panditji,  in his own handwriting :-