Rafi Ahmed Kidwai – he was one of the most respected freedom fighters, an able and respected leader who had shown exemplary man management and problem-solving skills during his tenure when he was a communications minister and also served as the Food and Agriculture minister.
During his time as minister, he was widely credited in bringing about worthy initiatives and implementation of laws.
Rafi Ahmed Kidwai was born on February 18, 1894, in the village of Masauli in Barabanki District of Uttar Pradesh to a middle class zamindar family. His father, Imtiaz Ali Kidwai was a zamindar and a government servant by profession.
In 1916, Kidwai enrolled into the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh to pursue his graduation. It was in the December of 1916 that his uncle made sure he participated in the historic session of the Congress party and the Muslim League party held at Lucknow. In 1918, he successfully completed his B.A degree.
In 1920, Kidwai became an active force behind the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement when he was jailed for the same. In 1922, he moved to Allahabad after being released from jail and served as the private secretary to Motilal Nehru. In 1926, Kidwai was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly of the British India and thus he became one of the pivotal figure of the freedom movement,
After independence, Kidwai became India’s first Minister for Communication in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. Kidwai, along with Abul Kalam Azad, were the two Muslims in Nehru’s central cabinet. *He launched night air mail service as a minister for communications*. After the first general elections in 1952, Kidwai was entrusted with the food and agriculture portfolio.
The Logical Indian lauds Mr. Kidwai for his immense contribution to the country. Kidwai’s love for the country and commitment and desire to oust the British was firm. Kidwai, through his policies and politics, pre and post independence, has occupied a special place in the history and hearts of India and Indians.
*The Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award was created in 1956 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1956 to recognize Indian researchers in the agricultural field. Awards are distributed every second year, and take the form of medals, citations, and cash prizes*.
*In Nov 2011, Government of India decided to rename the Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad after him as Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy*
*Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is named after him.He played a major role in donating 20 acres of the Campus land and Rs. 100,000 for the Radiotherapy machine*.
The Department of Posts released commemorative postage stamp on Shri Rafi Ahmed Kidwai & Mail Plane 20th Anniversary of "ALL-UP" Air Mail Scheme
The design of the stamp depicts a portrait of shri Rafi Ahmed Kidwai at the right side corner aeroplane fling to indicate the the Night Air Mail service which was introduced by him in 1949
Issued Date : 01.04.1969
Denomination : 20paise
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