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Eminent Personalities in India
6. Social Reformers

1. Ashutosh Chaudhuri (1864-1924) : 

Great educationist who favoured a technology oriented educational system that would ultimately help in the industrial development of the country, helped in the setting up of the National Council of Education in 1906. 

2. Amir Chand (1869-1915) : 

Advocated widow remarriage , national education, etc. helped spread of Swadeshi Movement, later drawn towards revolutionary group, involved in Delhi and Lahore conspiracy case. 

3. Ashutosh Mukopadyaya (1864-1924) : 

A well known educationist was appointed the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University and remained so for more than 10 years, also founded the Calcutta Mathematical Society. 

4. Dr. Atmaram Pandurang : 

A socio religious reformer from Maharashtra, established Prathna Samaj worked for widow remarriage, women education and raising the age of marriage and opposed the caste system. 

5. B.M. Malabari (1853-1912) : 

Age of Consent Act 1891 was enacted due to his efforts, he raised voices against casteism, child marriage and supported widow remarriage, founded Seva Sadan. 

6. Baliram Keshavrao Hedgewar (1899- 1940) : 

Associated with the Congress as well as Tilak's Home Rule Movement, Came to limelight after he established Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1925. 

7. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) : 

A leader of depressed classes, founded Depressed Classes Institute and Samaj Samta Sangh. Drafted the Indian Constitution and become the first Law Minister after independence. 

8. Charles Freer Andrews : 

Popularly known as 'Deenabandhu' devoted to the cause of India's educational, social and political advancement, responsible for the abolition of indentured labour in 'Fiji', Adored Gandhiji and followed his constructive programme. 

9. David Hare (1775-1842) : 

A Scotsman who played a pioneering role in introducing western education in India, associated himself with 'Young Bengal movement' to inspire a spirit of rationalism and liberty among the youth of Bengal. 

10. Devendra Nath Tagore : 

Founded "Tatwabodhini Sabha", joined Brahmo Samaj and established a Brahmo school in Calcutta. He started Tatwa Bodhini Patrika. 

11. Dayanand Saraswati : 

Founded Arya Samaj, gave the call 'Go back to the Vedas' started Sangathan and Shuddi movement. Advocated equal status for women, denounced untouchalibility. 

12. D.K. Karve (1858-1962) : 

Fondly called 'Anna Saheb Maharishi Karve,' dedicated his life for upliftment of widows. He founded India's first Women University in 1916. For his contribution was awarded Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna. 

13. E.V. Ramaswamy Naiker (1879-1973) : 

Also known as "Periyar", worked selflessly for the upliftment of lower castes, started Self Respect Movement in 1925 which rejected brahminical domination among Hindus, brought out a journal "Kudi Arasu"

14. Gopal Hari Deshmukh "Lokahi-tawadi" (1823-1892) : 

Advocated the reorganisation of Indian society on rational principles and modern, secular, humanistic values. Founded "Punarvivah Mandal" in Ahmedabad to encourage widow remarriage, edited Marathi newspaper "Lokhitawad" 

15. Guru Ram Singh : 

Started Namdhari movement as a reaction to the moral degradation of the Khalsa, abolished all the caste distinction and allowed widow remarriage, denounced the practice of sati, child marriage, infanticide, dowry system and drinking. His followers are known as 'Kukas'. 

16. Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856-1895) : 

A social reformer, journalist and an educationist, along with Tilak started the journals 'Maharatha' and 'Kesari.' Launched his own weekly 'Sudharak' also founded Fergusan College, Pune. 

17. Har Bilas Sarda (1867-1955) : 

Arya Samajist, played a pioneering role in initiating legislative action in the social sphere. It was largely due to his efforts, Child Marriage Restraint Act 1930 (Sarda Act) came into being. 

18. Henry Vivian Derozio (1809-1831) : 

Prominent Anglo Indian introduced western attitude into Indian intellectual life. Perhaps was the first nationalist poet of modern India, edited 'Hespersus' and 'The Calcutta Library Gazette'. 

19. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) : 

Famous scholar and a writer devoted his entire life to social welfare, particularly widow remarriage and women education. Regarded as the creator of Bengali language as it exists today. 

20. Joytiba Phule (1827-1890) : 

A radical and liberal thinker from a low caste, emphasised equality of all men. Founded Satya Shodhak Samaj and authored Sarvajanik Satyadharma Pustak. 

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