CHAPTER - 18
PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS
Emergence Of Public Life
In civilized times some sort of public life
had always existed in this country and contributed to the welfare of the people. It
forms,no doubt,altered with the times but the essence remained the same. In all
ages,public opinion influenced the state policy and every spell of repression unlashed by
the rulers animated the community. In modern
times the British occupation of Mainpuri and neighboring area opened up new vistas of
corporate activity in this district.amongst institutions which periodically spur much
activity in the public life the district are the legislatures of the State and the Union.
An account of elections to them follows:
State
Legislature
Vidhan Sabha-
At the general elections of 1952, this district was divided into six constituencies, 5 to
return one member each and one to elect two representatives one of whom was to be a member
of the Scheduled Castes. The single member constituencies were those of
Mainpuri[North]-cum Bhongaon[North], Mainpuri[south], Jasrana, Shikohabad[West], Karhal
[West]-cum- Shikohabad [East] and the double seated constituency comprising Karhal
[East]-cum-Bhongaon [south].
The table below highlights the important features
of that poll:
| Party / Independents |
Number of candidates |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
5 |
- |
20,882 |
| Indian National Congress |
7 |
4 |
88,610 |
| Kisan, Mazdoor Praja Party |
2 |
1 |
10,243 |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party |
4 |
1 |
76,622 |
| Socialist Party of India |
6 |
- |
30,096 |
| Uttar Pradesh Praja Party |
1 |
1 |
5,672 |
| Independents |
21 |
- |
90,557 |
For the general elections of 1957,the
constituencies were delimited in 1956 in such a manner as to have 5 single member
constituencies of Mainpuri Ghiror,Jasrana,Shikohabad,and Bhongaon and one double-member
constituency of Karhal with one seat reserved for candidates of the Scheduled Castes. The following statement indicates the number of
candidates set up seats won and votes secured by each contesting party in the assembly elections of 1957:
| Party / Independents |
No. of candidates |
Seats won |
valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
3 |
1 |
23,337 |
| Communist Party of India |
2 |
- |
7,381 |
| Indian National Congress |
7 |
2 |
1,03,008 |
| Praja Socialist Party |
6 |
3 |
91,574 |
| Independents |
20 |
1 |
1,39,674 |
| Total |
38 |
7 |
3,64,974 |
The
names of Vidhan Sabha constituencies were altered at the general elections of 1962, bur
the number of seats remained unchanged. The newly formed single member constituencies were
those of Bhongaon, Kishni,Karhal, Mainpuri, Ghiror,Shikohabad and Jasrana. The
constituency of Karhal was reserved for Scheduled Cast candidates. The number of electors
was 6,02,825. Valid votes numbered 343,881 and 19,518 were declared as invalid at the
count. The results are tabulated below:
| Party / Independents |
No. of candidates |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
7 |
1 |
27,758 |
| Communist Party of India |
5 |
- |
20,428 |
| Indian National Congress |
7 |
3 |
81,565 |
| Praja Socialist Party |
7 |
- |
37,654 |
| Republication Party of India |
6 |
- |
35,198 |
| Socialist Party of India |
5 |
- |
8,445 |
| Swatantra Party |
7 |
2 |
42,825 |
| Independents |
35 |
1 |
90,008 |
| Total |
79 |
7 |
3,43,881 |
At the 1967 General elections the names and number of constituencies and the seats remained
unchanged. The number of electors was 6,92,754 of which 4,04,195 persons cast votes. The
ballot papers treated as invalid were 21,472. The
following statement shows the number of candidates setup seats captured and votes secured
by each contesting party in the assembly election of 1967:
| Party / Independents |
Contestants |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
7 |
1 |
51,972 |
| Communist Party of India |
1 |
1 |
20,306 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
4 |
- |
17,547 |
| Indian National Congress |
7 |
2 |
1,08,712 |
| Republican Party of India |
6 |
- |
27,937 |
| Samyukta Socialist Party |
5 |
1 |
22,608 |
| Swantantra Party |
6 |
2 |
69,435 |
| Independents |
23 |
- |
64,206 |
| Total |
59 |
7 |
3,82,723 |
The Vidhan Sabha, constituted after
the 1967 general elections,was dissolved on February 25,1968, due to a large number of
defections which impelled the government to resign and the State began to be administered
by the President. A mid-term poll was held after about a year in 1969, on the basis of the
constituencies delimited in 1967. Out of 7,27,971 electors 4,18,967 exercised the
franchise. The number of invalid Votes was 10,554. In all 53 candidates belonging to 9
different political groups[including independents] contested for the seven seats. The
result wan as follows:
| Party / Independents |
No. of candidates |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
7 |
1 |
46,843 |
| Bhartiya Kranti Dal |
7 |
3 |
1,20,703 |
| Communist Party of India |
2 |
- |
26,438 |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
7 |
2 |
1,12,216 |
| Bhartiya Kranti Dal |
3 |
- |
6,815 |
| Communist Party of India |
3 |
- |
10,278 |
| Indian National Congress |
3 |
- |
18,214 |
| Swatantra Party |
4 |
1 |
43,000 |
| Independents |
17 |
- |
23,906 |
| Total |
53 |
7 |
4,08,413 |
On October 1, 1970 the president's
rule was again imposed in the State as the then chief minister of the Bhartiya Kranti Dal-
Congress coalition refused to rising when the Congress withdraw its support. The
President's rule was revoked on October 18 and the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal ministry was
sworn in on October 18, 1970. This government did not last
long and in the wake its collapse on April 3, 1971 the Congress government came to
power .Two years later the chief minister, through commanding a comfortable majority in
the assembly, submitted the resignation of his council of ministers to the governor of
June 12, 1973, clearing the way for President's rule in the State again for the third time
since the Independence which ended in November, with the Congress government taking the
office.
The popular
government returned to power again through the general elections held in February,1974.
The district was split into 7 constituencies of Bhongaon,Kishni,Karhal,Shikohabad, jasrana,Ghirorand
Mainpuri.
The statement given
below indicates the number of candidates,seats won, and valid votes secured by each
contesting party at the general elections of 1974 :
| Party / Independents |
Candidates |
Seats Won |
Valid Vote polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
7 |
- |
93,126 |
| Bhartiya Kranti Dal |
7 |
4 |
1,33,340 |
| Communist Party of India |
4 |
1 |
43,610 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
3 |
1 |
30,353 |
| Indian National Congress |
3 |
1 |
99,011 |
| Indian National Congress (o) |
7 |
- |
27,228 |
| Swatantra Party |
4 |
- |
5,676 |
| Independents |
36 |
- |
51,616 |
| Total |
71 |
7 |
4,83,960 |
Vidhan Parishad[Legislative
council]
The district is included in
three constituencies, the Mainpuri-cum-Etah-cum-Mathura, Local Authorities constituency,
the Agra Tachers' constituency and the Agra
graduates' constituency.from 1958 to 1974 the district was represented into Vidhan
Parishad by a resident of the district who was elected to represent the
Mainpuri-cum-Etah-cum-Mathura local Authorities constituency.
Union Legislature
Lok
Sabha[ House of the public]
For the general elections of 1957, this district
formed a single member constituency, named Mainpuri, with 3,93,180 voters of whom 1,96,859
exercised their right of franchise. The number of ballot papers declared invalid at the
time of counting was 109. The Congress, the jan sangh and the Praja Socialist Party set up
one candidate each and two independents also entered the fray. The seat was secured by the
Praja Socialist Party. At the general
elections of 1962,the constituency remained unaltered and about 2,48,294 electors out of
4,24,099 cast their votes. The number of invalid votes mounted to 9,716. Among the
contestants were two independents,and one each representing
the Congress, the jan sangh, the Swatantra Party, the Republican Party, the communist
Party and the Socialist Party. The seat went to the Congress candidate. At the general elections of 1967, the electorate
cosnsisted of 4,98,845 voters among whom 2,96,665 exercised the franchise. The number of
invalid votes was 13,002.A candidate each from the Congress, the republican Party, The jan
sangh the Swantra Party, the communist Party[Marxist], the Samyukta socialist Party and 6
independents, in all 12 candidates, contested. The congress again won the seat. On account
of a rift in the National Congress, the Lok Sabha constituted after the general elections
of 1967 was dissolved on December 27, 1970 and a fresh poll was ordered. The mid-term
parliamentary elections were held in 1971 and a new Lok Sabha was constituted in March the
same year. For the mid-term,the name of the constituency remained unaltered but the number
of electors rose to 5,32,460, out of whom 2,06,061 cast votes. Nine candidates,one each of
the two sections the congress,now one each of the Bhartiya Kranti Dal,the Communist Party
of India and five independents contested for the seat. The Congress candidate was
returned. Some details of various elections to Lok Sabha held in the district is given the
following statement:
| Party / Independent |
1957 |
1962 |
1967 |
1971 |
| Contestants |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
Contestants |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
Contestants |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
Contestants |
Seats won |
Valid votes polled |
| Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
1 |
- |
46,227 |
1 |
- |
22,708 |
1 |
- |
44,864 |
- |
- |
- |
| Bhartiya Kranti Dal |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
29,902 |
| Communist Party of India |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
51,524 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
16,985 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
43,877 |
- |
- |
- |
| Indian National Congress |
1 |
1 |
56,072 |
1 |
1 |
52,328 |
1 |
1 |
74,952 |
- |
- |
- |
| Indian National Congress (o) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
. |
33,618 |
| Indian National Congress (Ruling) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
1,02,951 |
| Praja Socialist Party |
1 |
1 |
59,902 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Republican Party of India |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
32,048 |
1 |
- |
28,333 |
- |
- |
- |
| Samyukta Socialist Party |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
3,952 |
- |
- |
- |
| Socialist Party |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
31,186 |
- |
- |
.. |
- |
- |
- |
| Swatantra Party |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
36,331 |
1 |
- |
36,397 |
- |
- |
- |
| Independents |
2 |
- |
34,149 |
2 |
- |
12,453 |
6 |
- |
51,288 |
5 |
- |
22,805 |
Newspapers And Periodicals
Local
Publications
The publications of newspapers and
periodicals was started in this district sometime in 1933 with the appearance of a Hindi
weekly the gram sudhar.At present six Hindi weeklies,one English weekly and one Hindi
fortnightly are being published from here. Besides these some educational institutions
bring out their magazines which have a very limited circulation.The details of newspapers
published from here are given below:
| Name of News Papers |
Periodicity |
Year of Commencement |
Copies on Circulation |
| In English |
|
|
|
| Uttar Times |
Weekly |
1969 |
N. S. |
| In Hindi |
|
|
|
| District Gazette |
Weekly |
1948 |
1,400 |
| Gram Sudhar |
Weekly |
1933 |
N. S. |
| Jai Kshatra Dharma |
Weekly |
1965 |
300 |
| Kalam Ki Awaz |
Weekly |
1966 |
1,728 |
| Shukla Saptahik Times |
Weekly |
1966 |
55 |
| Nirman |
Fortnightly |
1956 |
N. S. |
| Behar Sakha |
Weekly |
1950 |
2,000 |
Other
Periodicals
The popular dailies, weeklies and monthlies
published outside the district but widely circulated in the district are listed below:
| Daily |
Weekly |
Fortnightly |
Monthly |
|
Hindi
|
|
|
|
| Hindustan |
Dharmyug |
Sarita |
Maya, Manohar Kahaniya |
| Tarun Bharat |
Saptahik Hindustan |
Mukta |
Chandamama |
| Navjeevan |
|
|
Niharika |
| Nav Bharat Times |
|
|
Kadambini . Madhuri |
| Swatantra Bharat |
|
|
Parag |
| Aaj |
|
|
Lot Pot |
|
English
|
|
|
|
| The Statesman |
Blitz |
|
|
| Times of India |
The Illustrated |
Film fare |
Imprint |
| Hindustan Times |
Weekly of India |
Star & Style |
Life |
| Indian Express |
Sports |
Carvan |
Mirror , Picture Post |
| Northern India Patrika |
Screen Pastime |
Women's |
Readers Digest |
| The Pioneer |
|
|
|
| National Herald |
|
|
|
| Urdu |
|
|
|
| Milap |
Taj |
|
Beeswin Sadi |
| Qaumi Awaz |
Aajkal |
|
Shama |
Voluntary Social Service Organisations
The humanitarian
urge to organise voluntary associations serve a social purpose is found in the people of
almost all the districts of this State and Mainpuri is no exception. With the advent of
British rule and western method of education in the country,missionary institutions were
set-up,which gave rise to many counter-religious and social Organisations,besides the
establishment of hospitals and technical and non-technical educational institutions.Since
independence,the government have taken active interest in the welfare and progress of
voluntary cultural and social service Organisations.
Though, voluntary Organisations are free to
undertake any of their welfare schemes it if ensured that their activities are in hormony
with the objective and policies of the State. This is generally achieved through providing
financial assistance to such Organisations and by a periodical review of their
performance.
Their are a number of non-official
social service Organisations of various categories engaged in the welfare of children,women,youth the destitute.
the handicapped and the socially and economically back-ward people in the district .A
brief account of the more important is given below.
The Utter Pradesh Rajya Samaj Kalyan
Advisory Board,with headquarters at lucknow,has been running a branch at Kishni in this
district since 1955. It gives financial assistance to voluntary social Organisations. Its
activities in the district include providing night shelter to pavement dwellers and
homeless workers,giving condensed education to woman and running a holiday home for
children. The Bal Kalyan Samiti, which was
established at lucknow in 1950, has a branch at Mainpuri.The aims of the institution are
to promote the well-being of children under 16 years, by encouraging pre-primary
education,publication of children's literature,organizing holiday homes, and taking steps
to prevent juvenile delinquency.
The Shishu Mandir was established in
February 1958 at Mainpuri.It was registered in 1961 and its managed by a committee of 12
members. It caters to the physical
educational, recreational ,.cultural and moral needs of the children of Mainpuri.Its
yearly income is about Rs 6,935 which is derived from donations from the state and the
public. The Mainpuri branch of the U.P.
Backward classes Federation,which has its
headquarters at Lucknow,endeavors to promote advancement of scheduled caste and other
Backward classes and the removal of untochability and other social evils existing among the masses. Lal Singh Man Singh Industrial School,Mainpuri,
was established and registered in 1918 by Lal Singh Man Singh, a resident of the
district,doing business at Bombay. He founded a trust endowing it with property of
considerable value, and constructed a building which serves the purpose of a school and
hostel. This school imparts free vocational training to blind students in various arts and
crafts such as music and weaving of the seats of chairs with cane-strips. It also rune a
free Sanskrit-Pathshala. The school is managed by a committee of four members. Sri mathur
Chaturvedi Pustkalaya,Mainpuri was established on June 8 1918 in muhalla mishrana of
Mainpuri. Among its objects are the promotion of the Hindi language and its literature
and instilling a sense of nationalism and of universal brotherhood among the masses. it
is managed by an executive committee of four
members. It receives financial assistance from the local municipal board.The Zila
Parishad, the Harijan and social welfare and the education departments of the State
Government.