
Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi (1889-1968), after
whom the Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya
Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, of Bhopal has been
named, was an ace poet, writer and journalists
of Madhya Pradesh 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. Pandit
Makhanlalji was a true disciple of 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, Pandit
Makhanlalji 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 Pt. Makhanlal Ji in its own handwriting :-