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Madan Mohan Malviya

Madan Mohan Malviya was a freedom fighter, author, editor and publisher of newspapers, educationist, and a staunch Hindu. He is credited with popularizing the slogan "Satyamev Jayate". He was the first one to establish a private university in India which based on the model of historical Naalandaa, Takshshilaa Vidyaa Peeth.

When Malviya Jee was trying to build a good university, he had to overcome many difficulties and barriers. He worked with determination to start the university. There was a funds crisis; but he did not get disheartened. He went from town to town, met many rich people and traders to collect donations.

In this process, he went to the Nizaam of Hyderaabaad (then reputedly the richest man in the world) to request him for funds. The Nizaam was very furious, he said - "How dare you come to me for funds and that too for a Hindu University?" He roared with anger, took off his footwear and flung it at Malviya. Malviya Jee picked up the footwear and left silently. He went directly to the market place and began to auction the footwear. As it was Nizaam's footwear, many came forward to buy it. The bids kept going up.

When Nizaam heard of this, he became uneasy. He thought it would be an insult if his footwear were to be bought by someone for a pittance. So he sent one of his attendants with the instruction, "Buy that footwear no matter whatever the price be." Thus, Malviya Jee managed to sell the Nizam's own footwear back to him, for a huge sum of money. He used that money to build the famous Banaaras Hindu University.

It does not matter what you have, but how you make use of what you have, in your life! Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. So make the best use of your precious life and any situation given to you. Think cleverly and act wisely.

This story is famous for Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar also when he went to ask for donation to the Navaab of Avadh.

 

 

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 05/09/04     |      Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com      |      Modified on 01/22/13