K. B. Desai

K. B. Desai (1897–1979) was an Indian medical doctor, a local leader of Congress from Navsari during the Indian independence movement, and a social reformer. He was a Gandhian.[1][2][3][4][5]

K. B. Desai
Born
Khandubhai Bhimbhai Desai

September 3, 1897
Sarbhan, Gujarat, India
DiedNovember 5, 1979
Navsari, Gujarat, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationMedical doctor
TitlePresident of Navsari Municipal Council
Political partyPresident of Navsari Congress
SpouseLilavati Desai

Freedom struggle

Sardar Patel was imprisoned in the wake of Salt Satyagrah in 1930. Desai acted as spokesperson for Mahatma Gandhi in Navsari to organize local police as a strategy to help release Patel. He was imprisoned on multiple occasions for his role in the freedom struggle.[1][2][3]

President of Navsari Municipal Council

After independence in 1947, he served as President of Navsari Municipal Council (Nagarpalika Pramukh).[4]

Medical career

Desai graduated with an M.B.B.S. from Bombay (Mumbai) in 1922. He obtained further medical training from Dublin and Vienna. Desai provided surgical, obstetric, dental and non-surgical care. He built and ran K. B. Desai Hospital in Navsari.[5][6][7]

Social reform

Desai was active in social reform movements. He opposed the caste system, admitted patients of all castes to his hospital, and served food to them from one kitchen using one set of utensils.[8]

References
  1. Patel, Vallabhbhai (1994). The Collected Works of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: 1932-1934 : Civil Disobedience Movement and Sardar Patel's Second Incarceration Death of Mother and Brother Vithalbhai. Konark Publishers. ISBN 978-81-220-0343-7.
  2. Source Material for a History of the Freedom Movement in India: Mahatma Gandhi. pts. 1-7. Printed at the Government Central Press. 1969.
  3. Informaion, Gujarat (India) Directorate of (1969). Svātantrya saṅgrāmanā laḍavaiyā: Gujarāta Rājya (in Gujarati). Māhitī Khātuṃ, Gujarāta Sarakāra.
  4. Gandhi, Chiman N. (2018-05-16). I Did It My Ways: An Autobiography with Controversies. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-64249-776-2.
  5. The Maharashtra Medical Register. Maharashtra Medical Council. 1968.
  6. The Medical Directory ...: London, Provinces, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Abroad, Navy, Army & Air Force. J. & A. Churchill, Limited. 1961.
  7. Kaura, Ajīta; Caur, Arpana (1976). Directory of Indian Women Today, 1976. India International Publications.
  8. Jīvana Tathā Saṃskr̥ti: Śrī Paṃ. Ānandapriya Abhinandana-grantha (in Hindi). Śrī. Paṃ. Ānandapriya Abhinandana Grantha Samiti. 1976.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.