'Pioneer of modern Indian Renaissance,' Raja Ram Mohan Roy brought remarkable reforms in the 18th and 19th century in India. He was a key social reformer and called the "Father of Modern India" because of his contribution to Indian society.
He worked emphatically for the betterment of women in India society. Among his efforts, the abolition of the brutal and inhuman Sati Pratha was the most prominent. He criticized the 'purdah system', polygamy, discouraging child marriages and advocated the rights of widows to remarry.
Roy was born on August 14, 1774, to Ramakanta Roy and Tarini Devi in Radhanagar village of Hoogly district.
Raja Ram was a great believer in the potency of western education, science, and maths and he propagated their adoption throughout the country. He believed that if these disciplines were beneficial for the British, then they would be good for Indian people also.
He used education as a medium to implement social reforms so he came to Calcutta in 1815 and after one year, started an English College by putting his savings.
He devoted his life to the cause of social reforms throughout his life. He valued social welfare above everything else during the tenure of his life.
He would, therefore, be a vocal supporter for the rights of women and was also successful in abolishing the practice of Sati and motivating widow remarriage.
Roy was a big supporter of equality, and he believed that we all are equal and entitled to all the rights that the law provides, without any compromise. He used to say that we should exercise our rights and make sure that the rights of others are not infringed upon.
He was a strong advocate to use the power of social media. That time, fighting against the system through the written word was a new concept but it results in the implementation of some good social reforms.
As the reach of social media is going high on the global level, we must learn from him to utilize it.
Despite his radical thoughts, Roy was a firm believer in the presence of God. He believed in one God and encouraged his follower to pursue God, to get the answer to all of life's questions.
Follow us on Google News