One of the most iconic figures of Indian political history, Shri Rafi Ahmed Kidwai was born on 18th February 1894 and died on 24 October 1954.
He was a great scholar, socialist, and Indian Independence activist. A man of courage, he belonged to the Islamic family hailed from Barabanki District of United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh). After completing his education from Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh, he entered politics through Khilafat Movement.
He started his political career as Private Secretary to Moti Lal Nehru. After independence, he became India’s first Minister for Communication in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. During this time, he launched night air mail service.
After the first general election in 1952, he was elected as Minister of Food and Agriculture. Kidwai died in Delhi on 24 October 1954. Today, he is no longer with us but he occupied a special place in the history and hearts of Indians.
In 1969 to honor him, India Post issued 20 Paise commemorative Postal Stamp. The design of the stamp is horizontal and it depicts the late Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai at the right side and the left corner depicts the aeroplane to indicate Night Air Mail Service.
Early Life:
Rafi Ahmad Kidwai was born on 18th February 1894 in Masuali Village in BaraBanki district in present-day Uttar Pradesh. He joined the M.A.O college at Aligarh in 1916 where he went on to finish his B.A. He then began an L.L.B course in Aligarh but could not write his examinations due to his participation in the non-cooperation movement.
He also worked closely with Pandith Motilal and in 1925 was elected as one of the secretaries of U.P Congress. He was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly and served as the chief whip for the Swaraj party, the electoral arm of the Congress, from 1926-1929.
Role in India’s Independence Movement:
Kidwai was particularly active during the Khilafat movement during the 1920’s, by which time he was a well-known member of the Indian National Congress. He was imprisoned for his part in the Non-Cooperation movement and he was released in 1922.
Contribution to Constitution Making:
Kidwai was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces on a Congress Party ticket.
Later Contributions:
After Independence, he was appointed as the first Communications minister and inaugurated the first night air mail service. Subsequently, he held the post of the Agriculture minister.
Kidwai died in 1954.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research created the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award in 1956 in his honour.
