Bhogilal Pandya was a notable freedom fighter and social worker from Dungarpur in Indian state of Rajasthan.The Government of India conferred on him Padma Bhushan award for his services. The Government of Rajasthan named Dungarpur government college as Bhogilal Pandya Government College in his memory.
Shri Bohgilal Pandya (Pandyaji) was a devoted family man, social-worker, and a bright symbol of nobility, morality, sincerity and courtesy. The Government of India on 3 April 1976 conferred on him the Padma Bhushan award for his social services. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It is awarded for distinguished service of a high order to the nation. In addition, the Government of Rajasthan named Dungarpur Government College as “Bhogilal Pandya Government College” in recognition of his social service and his noteworthy role in India’s struggle for freedom from British rule and in his memory as a leader and champion for the development of the backward Tribal Bhil people of Rajasthan.
For his selfless service to the nation and community and for championing education and rights of the poor and underprivileged, Pandyaji is referred by the people of Rajashthan as “Gandhi of Vahgad” (name given to the region of Rajasthan encompassing the Dungarpur District). During India’s pre and post independence there were no boarding facilities in Dungarpur for rural students. So, at first Pandyaji established a public boarding at his own house for rural students coming from distant villages. From the beginning Pandyaji was inspired more for serving people than earning money. Pandyaji took it upon himself the difficult duty of soliciting and collecting grains for food and money from the wealthy class of society in order to feed and educate the poor village students.
In 1938, Pandyaji was elected President of Sewa-sangh, an organization dedicated to community service in the Dungarpur, Udipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmare regions of Rajasthan. Through this organization, Pandyaji provided community leadership and championed the cause for education of poor village students and gaining rights for and improving the lives of the backwards Tribal Bhil society. After India gained its independence in 1948, Pandyaji was appointed to ministerial positions in the State government. Between 1948 and 1956 he was industrial minister and minister of temples. Between 1969 and 1977, he held the post of Chairman of Khadi Borad of Rajasthan.
Shri Bohgilal Pandya was born in Simalwada village of Dungarpur District of the State of Rajasthan. He was born into a Trivedi Mevada Bhramin family on 13 November, 1904. His father’s name was Shri Pitamber Pandya and his mother’s name was Smt. Nathibai Pandya. Pandyaji’s parents were virtuous and noble and were of modest means and financially not very strong. He had one sister, Parvati and an elder brother, Shivram Pandya.
Since there were no facilities for education in Pamdyaji’s village, he went to Dungarpur for the purpose of obtaining middle school education. Upon completion of middle school he went on to Udipur and Ajmar and earned his matriculation (passing the 10th grade of high school). After his matriculation, Pandyaji was appointed as a teacher in Dungarpur and served in this capacity until 1942.
Pandyaji was married to Maniben in 1920 in Nanawada Village of Malpur County of Sabarkantha in the State of Gujarat. Pandyaji and Smt. Maniben had three sons (Dinbandhu, the eldest, Vasudeo and Kaniyalal, the youngest) and two daughters (Saraswati, the elder daughter and Mohini, the youngest of the five children). Though Maniben was not formally educated she was a religious woman who observed many vows and fasts.
It is said that behind every great man is a strong, large hearted and virtuous woman. Smt. Maniben was such a woman. Her selfless devotion and commitment to Pandyaji and his great social crusade of championing education and rights of the underprivileged are her legacy to the Dungarpur District community and her five children. She not only managed her family duties but she actively and passionately supported Padyaji’s social and political journey. Her hospitality was such that she made everyone that came to know her feel like they were a member of her family. Hardly any guest can remember if they returned from Pandyaji’s home without having a hot meal. When Pandyaji started his first boarding house for underprivileged rural students coming from distant villages, Maniben would serve the students as if they were her family members. In recognition of her social service to the community the high school in Simalwada village is named after her.
Smt. Maniben died on 12 February 1969 at the age of 61 and Shri Bohgilal Pandya left his body on 31 March 1981 at the age 77.