Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to the great Lokmanya Tilak on his Jayanti.
About
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an Indian nationalist, teacher, and an independence activist.
He was one third of the Lal Bal Pal triumvirate.
Tilak was the first leader of the Indian independence movement.
The British colonial authorities called him "The father of the Indian unrest."
He was also conferred with the title of "Lokmanya", which means "accepted by the people (as their leader).
Mahatma Gandhi called him "The Maker of Modern India".
Political Ideology
He advocated Rashtriyatva (Nationalism). He joined the Indian National Congress in 1890.
He belonged to the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress led Independence Movement.
Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of Swaraj ("self-rule") and a strong radical in Indian consciousness.
He is known for his quote in Marathi: "Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it!".
Educationist
Inspired by Vishnushastri Chiplunkar, he co-founded the New English school for secondary education in 1880 with a few of his college friends, including Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Mahadev Ballal Namjoshi and Vishnushastri Chiplunkar.
Their goal was to improve the quality of education for India's youth.
The team would then set up the Deccan Education Society in 1884 to create a new system of education that taught young Indians nationalist ideas through an emphasis on Indian culture.
The Society established the Fergusson College in 1885 for post-secondary studies. Tilak taught mathematics at Fergusson College.
Freedom Movement
Following the Partition of Bengal, set out by Lord Curzon, Bal Gangadhar Tilak propagated Swadeshi Movement in 1905 and encouraged people to boycott foreign goods.
Tilak reunited with his fellow nationalists and rejoined the Indian National Congress during the Lucknow pact 1916.
Tilak helped found the All India Home Rule League in 1916–18, with G. S. Khaparde and Annie Besant.
Tilak was impressed by the Russian Revolution, and expressed his admiration for Vladimir Lenin.
He started his Home Rule League in Maharashtra, Central Provinces, and Karnataka and Berar region. Besant's League was active in the rest part of India.
Religio-Political Views
Tilak sought to unite the Indian population for mass political action through anti-British and pro-Hindu activism.
He sought justification in the original principles of the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita.
He named this call to activism karma-yoga or the yoga of action.
The events like the Ganapati festival and Shiv Jayanti were used by Tilak to build a national spirit.
Books
"The Arctic Home in the Vedas",
"The Orion",
"Shrimadh Bhagvad Gita Rahasya" in prison at Mandalay.
