A true Gandhian
The President confers National Communal Harmony Award, 2005 to Hema Bharali, an eminent social worker from Assam. 

North East News Agency

She feels that age is no barrier to put in good work but advocates the youth to take up the cudgels of nation building.

Rightly, the National communal Harmony Award 2005 was conferred on Hema Bharali of Assam by the President of India at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi recently.

Hema Bharali, born on February 19, 1919, is an octogenarian Gandhian, distinguished freedom fighter, front ranking leader of Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan movement, eminent social worker and a real friend of the downtrodden.

Since her childhood, she has always been attracted towards constructive social work inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and many a prominent personalities of outstanding qualities and took active part in the freedom movement.

After independence of the nation, Hema Bharali has been associated with non-political organizations that fought for the cause of social upliftment of people at large. She has been engaged in rural development, spread of basic education, prohibition, strengthening of national integration and removal of social discrimination. She has also worked for empowerment of women and children, promotion of their welfare, securing social justice and promoting peace and non-violence.

She participated in extending relief to earthquake affected people in North Lakhimpur in Assam on August 15, 1950. She also worked for peace during language disturbance in Assam in 1960. She helped the panic stricken people of Tezpur and adjoining areas of Assam-Arunachal border during the Chinese aggression in 1962. As a social worker, she is committed to the doctrine of Bahujan Hitaya, Bahujan Sahaya.

She took active part in Vinova Bhave’s Bhoodan movement and undertook padyatra to instill the spirit of national integration in the minds of people; to create an awakening among the women; and to spread knowledge about forests as vital factor of environment.

Hema Bharali is one of the true Gandhians, who believes in promoting non-violence, social harmony and equitable development. She has done commendable work in these areas for a considerable period of time.

Recognising her dedicated service to the nation, Government of India conferred the prestigious Padmashree Award to Hema Bharali in the year 2005. She is approaching her nineties but plans to contribute her bit as long as she can. “I will continue to work till the very end. My motivation comes from within. It is not inspired by any thing. Nation building should be spontaneous, “she opines.

According to Hema Bharali the youth of the country should take the responsibility of building an India free from all divisions that have crept up in the society today. “I am sure that the young generation will contribute selflessly, “she stressed.

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