Veteran Gandhian leader Salem Nanjudaiah Subba Rao died here on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 92. He was famous for his ‘Shramdan’ (voluntary contribution of labour) activities and camps, with which a large number of youth were associated across the country.
Born in Bengaluru, Mr. Rao was arrested at the age of 13 for participating in the Quit India Movement. He had a special attachment to Rajasthan and he came to Jaipur for treatment at the Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital at the behest of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Mr. Rao was associated with several leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and K. Kamaraj. One of his best-known activity was his attempt to bring the Chambal Valley dacoits to the mainstream by setting up Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district, where he evolved a constructive education module. The ashram hosted the surrender of several notorious dacoits and worked for rehabilitation of their families as well as their victims.
The Gandhian leader was credited with reforming 654 dacoits. He was awarded the Padma Shri, Karnataka Government's Mahatma Gandhi Seva Award, Shanti Doot International Award, Anuvrat Ahimsa Award, Jamnalal Bajaj Puraskar and a number of other prizes.
Mr. Gehlot, who visited the SMS Hospital several times to enquire about Mr. Rao's health, condoled his death, saying he was deeply pained with the passing away of the eminent Gandhian ideologue and activist. “Mr. Subba Rao was a national asset. He inspired the youth for more than 70 years through his camps and kept telling the younger generation about our country's culture even abroad,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the people in Rajasthan were fortunate that they continued to meet Mr. Rao. His inspirational songs and thoughts would continue to motivate the people, he said.
