Rajaram Devji Nikhade (Aged 85) was born in April 1924 in Patur, situated in the Akola district of Maharashtra, India. His mother’s name was Sharjabai, and his father was Devji Natthuji Nikhade. His parents were staunch opponents of Nizamshahi and actively supported the independence movement. Rajaram inadvertently became part of this struggle by providing lodging and food to underground activists. He received his primary education at Patur Primary School, completing his studies up to the seventh grade.
During that era, leaders from both the right and left fronts, as well as proponents of socialist ideologies, came together with the common goal of achieving independence for Goa. Multiple groups of freedom fighters from Maharashtra repeatedly attempted to enter Goa’s territory. The Goa Liberation Movement was established in Pune, with notable figures such as S. M. Joshi, N. G. Gore, Shirubhau Limaye, Senapati Bapat, Peter Alwaris, Madhu Dandavate, Jayavantrao Tilak, and even the renowned musician Sudhir Phadke actively participating in the struggle. In 1955, the first unit, under the leadership of Senapati Bapat, departed for Goa but was apprehended by the Portuguese army at the border. Subsequently, several units of freedom fighters continued to make their way into Goa, marking the organized commencement of the movement. These fighters occupied all the borders of Goa. Rajaram Nikhade, representing the Akola division, joined the effort along with others like Shankarao Mankar, Haribhau Hiralkar, and Achyutrao Deshpande. His team was also captured by the Portuguese forces. In response, Rajaram went underground and actively participated in the Goa Liberation War.
Through the tireless efforts and sacrifices of numerous activists, Goa was eventually liberated from Portuguese rule. On October 2, 1971, in recognition of his contributions, the Maharashtra Government honored Rajaram Nikhade with the Swatantrya Sainik Sanmanpatra. Following India’s independence, Rajaram worked in the private transportation sector and remained an active worker for the Samajwadi Party. He dedicated himself to addressing the issues of workers in the transport sector and, in 1965–66, became a part of the State Transport Board, where he continued his efforts for the labor union of the ST Corporation. Rajaram passed away on October 27, 2009, in Akola.
Rajaram Devji Nikhade
(1924 – 2009) – (Maharashtra)
Rajaram Devji Nikhade (Aged 85) was born in April 1924 in Patur, situated in the Akola district of Maharashtra, India. His mother’s name was Sharjabai, and his father was Devji Natthuji Nikhade. His parents were staunch opponents of Nizamshahi and actively supported the independence movement. Rajaram inadvertently became part of this struggle by providing lodging and food to underground activists. He received his primary education at Patur Primary School, completing his studies up to the seventh grade.
During that era, leaders from both the right and left fronts, as well as proponents of socialist ideologies, came together with the common goal of achieving independence for Goa. Multiple groups of freedom fighters from Maharashtra repeatedly attempted to enter Goa’s territory. The Goa Liberation Movement was established in Pune, with notable figures such as S. M. Joshi, N. G. Gore, Shirubhau Limaye, Senapati Bapat, Peter Alwaris, Madhu Dandavate, Jayavantrao Tilak, and even the renowned musician Sudhir Phadke actively participating in the struggle. In 1955, the first unit, under the leadership of Senapati Bapat, departed for Goa but was apprehended by the Portuguese army at the border. Subsequently, several units of freedom fighters continued to make their way into Goa, marking the organized commencement of the movement. These fighters occupied all the borders of Goa. Rajaram Nikhade, representing the Akola division, joined the effort along with others like Shankarao Mankar, Haribhau Hiralkar, and Achyutrao Deshpande. His team was also captured by the Portuguese forces. In response, Rajaram went underground and actively participated in the Goa Liberation War.
Through the tireless efforts and sacrifices of numerous activists, Goa was eventually liberated from Portuguese rule. On October 2, 1971, in recognition of his contributions, the Maharashtra Government honored Rajaram Nikhade with the Swatantrya Sainik Sanmanpatra. Following India’s independence, Rajaram worked in the private transportation sector and remained an active worker for the Samajwadi Party. He dedicated himself to addressing the issues of workers in the transport sector and, in 1965–66, became a part of the State Transport Board, where he continued his efforts for the labor union of the ST Corporation. Rajaram passed away on October 27, 2009, in Akola.
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