Govind Ballabh Pant was born on December 10, 1887 in village Khoont in Almora. His mother’s name was Govindi. His father, Manorath Pant was a Brahmin of high class. Govind was brought up by his grandfather, Badri Dutt Joshi, who played a prominent part in moulding the youngster’s views. Govind greatly respected his grandfather’s firm belief in honesty and tried to inculcate them into his own life.
After finishing schooling in Almora. Govind made plans to go to Allahabad to further his education but was discouraged by his relatives on account of Govind’s delicate health. But he said farewell to his relatives and left for Allahabad in 1905. Govind enrolled at the Muir Centeral College where his ingenious and radiant personality was quickly recognized by his professors. He excelled in the fields of Mathematics, Literature and Politics.
His first opportunity to support the Congress came in December 1905 when he served as a volunteer at the Congress session at Allahabad. He was greatly impressed by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Madan Mohan Malaviya’s views. Govind decided to study law in 1907, following his B.A. degree. In 1909 he was awarded when he scored highest in the Bar examination. He began to practice in Almora in 1910. Then he moved to Ranikhet and eventually to Kashipur in 1912.
Pant delved into politics in December of 1921. Greatly impressed by Gandhiji’s concept of a non-violent freedom struggle, he devoted himself to the non-cooperation movement. he was elected to the United Province (renamed Uttar Pradesh by Pant himself) Legislative Assembly.
Congress voted to boycott the Simon Commission on account of its all-white panel. The Commission landed in Lahore on October 11, 1928. In a demonstration Lala Lajpat Rai was struck down by lathis and Pant was severely injured (the physical impact would incapacitate him rest of his life) in a procession in Lucknow
After Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha in March of 1930, Pant organized a massive salt movement in the United Provinces. In May of 1930 he was arrested and held at Dehra Dun jail. After his release he worked relentlessly against the zamindars and government to protect farmers from high rents. Pant was arrested for a period of seven months because he attended provincial Congress session in Uttar Pradesh when the Government banned it.
Pant joined the U.P. Legislative Council in 1935 when the Government of India Act allowed a provincial government. In 1940 Pant was arrested on the charge of helping in the satyagraha movement and was sent to Almora prison. On launching ‘Quit India’ resolution in 1942, all the prominent Indian leaders, including Pant, were arrested. Pant was sent to Ahmednagar Jail. Pant was released in March of 1945.
After Independence, Pant was nominated Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The state witnessed many insurgent riots, following partition. Pant travelled to inflicted areas to calm the people. He abolished the zamindari system and worked on many other bills to help farmers. He saw that Harijans were treated fairly, and concentrated on developing the education, medical and industrial (mainly cottage) sectors.
Upon the death of Sardar Patel, Nehru called on Pant to take the position of Home
Minister. The most renowned work that he accomplished as Home Minister was to make Hindi the official language of India.
In 1957, the Government of India honoured Pant with the Bharat Ratna award. In 1960 Pant suffered a heart attack. In February of 1961, he fell ill while still in office and died on March 7, 1961 after slipping into a coma for several days.
