FROM THE BLOGGER’S LIBRARY: REMEMBERING K.B.SAHAY:20
This particular tribute was published in the 31st December issue of the daily newspaper "The Hindustan Times" (Patna Edition) in the year 1998. The writer in the concluding lines defines what "Samajik Nyaya (Social Justice) actually means and how K. B. Sahay stood like a wall for the welfare of poor whom he emancipated by implementing the Zamindari abolition legislation by his sheer will power.
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| The original article published in the "Hindustan Times" (Patna Edition) on 31st December |
Today, when “personal aggrandizement” and “developmental inertia” has
become the hallmark of our politico-bureaucratic masters, one’s thoughts go to
Krishna Ballabh Sahay, a noble son of Bihar who spurned the chance of joining
the covenanted Indian Civil Service to become even a humbler servant of the
people by opting to be a politician in Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps. It was on
the strength of the character of politicians like Mr. Krishna Ballabh Sahay
that the Appleby Committee declared Bihar to be India’s best administered
State. Remembering that give a thought to Bihar’s state today.
Today when sleaze and corruption mar Bihar’s policy, the life and times
of Krishna Ballabh Babu or simply “K.B.”, as he was affectionately called,
provide fodder of inspiration to the optimist in this blessed State.
Born on December 31, 1898, in Sheikhpura village under Fatuwah police
station in Patna district, in the family of a British Indian police official,
Krishna Ballabh Sahay graduated with honours in Queen’s Language with a first
class and a gold medal to boot, from Saint Columba’s College, Hazaribagh. Called
to England for an interview for selection into the hallowed ranks of the ICS,
he preferred to listen to Mahatma Gandhi’s call to join the Non-Cooperation
Movement in 1921 and plunged into the struggle for freedom, leaving his studies
(MA & Law) in Patna University unfinished. His habit of becoming a jail
bird began with his incarceration during the Civil Disobedience Movement of
1930-31.
Krishna Ballabh
Sahay gave ample evidence of his legislative and administrative skills when he joined the Congress Government of
Bihar in 1937. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary. Post-independence, he
served as the State’s Revenue Minister till 1967. (read 1957). His concern for
the Dalit, deprived, landless citizens made him pro-actively pursue the
agitation objective of bringing about land reforms. The abolition of the zamindari
system and the enactment of the Bihar Land Reforms Act were a result of Sahay’s
untiring and selfless efforts.
Krishna Ballabh
Babu is also remembered as one of Bihar’s leading administrators. He ranks as
one of the State’s most capable Chief Ministers along with Sri Krishna Sinha.
Bureaucrats delivered under his leadership. He did not tolerate sycophancy and
babu- inertia. A disciplined Gandhian himself, Krishna Ballabh Sahay ensured
prompt decision making and speedy implementation of developmental programmes.
Today on his birth anniversary, it would be but befitting for our netas
and babus to draw sustainable inspiration from the life of Krishna Ballabh
Sahay if. At all, they have the conscience to justify the calling of the lofty
vocations they have chosen and to fulfill their duty to Bihar and India. If
they do, as the common man prays, Bihar will be able to happily bury its infamy
of being a scam-mothering State. That indeed would be an ideal tribute to
Krishna Ballabh Sahay- a tribute of “samajik
nyaya” (social justice.
The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of will.
- VINCE LOMBARDI.
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