Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvediji (1889-1968), after whom the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication has been named, was an ace poet, writer and journalist who acquired nationwide renown not only for his literary creativity and might of his pen but also for his undaunted participation in the national struggle for the freedom of India.

Panditji was a true disciple of Shri Balgangadhar Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, and was a rare combination of Tilak – like fiery patriotism and sacrifices and Gandhian non – violence, self-abnegation and simplicity.

He was the illustrious Editor of “Prabha” and later “Karmaveer”, the journals which hit out at British imperialism and inspired the contemporary generation to throw off the yoke of alien slavery.

The British rulers repeatedly incarcerated him and his journals forcibly closed down with forfeiture of security deposits by the Government time and again. But the British excesses could not be nd the will of the valiant patriot – poet, who, once out of jail, indefatigably restarted his publication to mount assaults against the British imperialists as well as inner weaknesses and evils of the Indian society.

After freedom was won in 1947, Panditji refrained from seeking a share in power and continued to exhort people through speech and writing to toss off social evils and build an exploitation-free, equitable society as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

A famous Poem “Pushp Ki Abhilasha” of Panditji, is presented in his own handwriting: