Manikchandra Vajpayee

Manikchandra Vajpayee (also spelt as Manikchand Vajpayee[1]) (born: October 7, 1919; death: December 25, 2005), also known as Mamaji was an Indian journalist, writer, and RSS Pracharak.[2][3][4] He is noted for his contribution to the field of journalism. He was the founder-editor of the multi-edition Hindi daily newspaper Swadesh.[1][5] The Manikchandra Vajpayee National Journalism Awards, which the Government of Madhya Pradesh named after Manikchandra Vajpayee, is one of India's awards in the field of journalism.[5]

Manikchandra Vajpayee
A Commemorative postage stamp on Manikchandra Vajpayee, released in 2020
Born(1919-10-07)October 7, 1919
Bateshwar, British India
DiedDecember 25, 2005(2005-12-25) (aged 86)
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesMamaji
CitizenshipIndia
EducationB.A. & Law
Occupation(s)Journalist, founder editor of multi-edition Hindi daily Swadesh
Political partyBharatiya Jana Sangh
FamilyAtal Bihari Vajpayee (nephew)

Biography

Manikchandra Vajpayee was born on October 7, 1919, in Bateshwar of Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He started journalism as the editor of Deshmitra published from Bhind district. He served as the Organizing Secretary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1953. He served as the editor of the daily Hindi newspaper Swadesh (Indore) from 1968 to 1985. In the year 1975, Vajpayee was jailed during The Emergency, but he did not let his writing stop. He was in Indore jail for 19 months. He continued to write editorials from the jail. He was associated with Swadesh since its establishment in 1966. He also served as the advisory editor of the Bhopal, Jabalpur, Sagar, Raipur and Bilaspur editions of Swadesh. He was editor-in-chief of Gwalior, Jhansi and Guna editions of Swadesh from 1987 to 2005.[6]

Mamaji was also the President of Indore Press Club from 1978 to 1980. During his tenure, the Indore Press Club became quite discussed for his activities. He raised the demand to eliminate the old waste laws through this press club.[7] He died on December 25, 2005, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.[1]

In October 2020, his biography book, Shabdapurush: Manikchandra Vajpayee was launched by Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar. The book was jointly published by Prabhat Prakashan and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.[8][9]

Selected bibliography[10]
  • Keral Mein Marks Nahi Mahesh
  • Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: Apne Samvidhan Ke Aaine Mein
  • Samay Ki Shila Par
  • Pahli Agni Pariksha
  • Aapatkaleen Sangharsh Ki Gaatha
  • Bharatiya Naari: Vivekanand Ki Drishti Se
  • Kashmir Ka Kadwa Sach
  • Pope Ka Kasta Shikanka
  • Jyoti Jala Nij Praan Ki
  • Partition-Days The Fiery Saga of RSS

Recognition and commemoration

In 2005, he was honored with the Dr Hedgewar Pragya Award in Kolkata for his significant contribution in the field of journalism.[7]

In 2006, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, led by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan established "Manikchandra Vajpayee National Journalism Award".[11] Later, the award was discontinued by the Congress government. In 2020, the award was restarted by Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government.[5]

In December 2020, the Government of India's postal department issued a postage stamp to commemorate Vajpayee. The postal stamp release ceremony was attended by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former governor Kaptan Singh Solanki.[12][13]

See also

References
  1. "RSS veteran Manikchand Vajpayee passes away". Haindava Keralam. United News of India. December 27, 2005.
  2. "पत्रकार की 100वीं जयंती पर होगा विशेष कार्यक्रम, केंद्रीय मंत्री प्रकाश जावड़ेकर करेंगे अध्यक्षता" (in Hindi). Zee News. October 2020.
  3. Malik, Dr. Pavan Singh (October 7, 2020). "फक्कड़, धुनी और ध्येय के प्रति समर्पित पत्रकार थे मामा माणिकचंद वाजपेयी" (in Hindi). Prabhasakshi.
  4. "Remembering 'Dhyeyanishth' Mamaji". Organiser Weekly. March 12, 2019.
  5. "Journalism award in name of Mamaji in Madhya Pradesh to be restarted: Chief Minister Chouhan". The Free Press Journal. December 28, 2020.
  6. "शिवराज सरकार फिर शुरू करेगी मामाजी माणिक चंद्र वाजपेयी पुरस्कार" (in Hindi). Zee News. October 8, 2020.
  7. Singh, Lokendra (October 7, 2020). "माणिक चंद वाजपेयी ने धारदार लेखनी से भारतीय मूल्यों एवं राष्ट्रीय विचार को प्रतिष्ठित किया". Prabhasakshi.
  8. "इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय कला केंद्र में पुस्तक 'शब्दपुरुष : माणिकचंद्र वाजपेयी' का लोकार्पण" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala.
  9. "ध्येय के प्रति समर्पित जीवन जिया मामाजी ने" (in Hindi). Panchjanya. October 8, 2021.
  10. "क्या आप अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी के चाचा माणिकचन्द वाजपेयी 'मामाजी' को जानते हैं, पढ़िए कौन थे". Livestorytime.com (in Hindi). October 7, 2020.
  11. "First Vajpayee award presented". Hindustan Times. December 28, 2006.
  12. "Postage Stamp To Be Released On December 27 On Birth Centenary Year Of Renowned Journalist Late Mama Manikchandra Vajpayee". India Education Diary. December 27, 2020.
  13. "Manikchandra Vajpayee National Journalism Award Will Be Resumed : CM Chouhan". India Education Diary. December 28, 2020.
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