From 50 Years Ago: Pandit Pant

Prime Minister Nehru, once describing his most steadfast colleague, Pandit Govind Bal-labh Pant, said, “Born in the Himalayas, he is as great as a mountain.” Truly, there was something lofty, almost Himalayan, about the presence, sweep of mind, largeness of heart, calm heroism of action, range of achievement and matchless patience and sa-gacity of the late Shri G B Pant. Schooled in a hard environment, assailed by poverty and forced to teach fellow students to pay for his own education, Shri Pant rose to be a national leader next only to Pandit Nehru in signifi-cance and in the esteem and love of the peo-ple. Wedded to the Congress in ideology and work, dedicated to Government in adminis-tration, devoted to Pandit Nehru in personal loyalty and love and ever mindful of the inter-ests of his own State, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Pant had yet that in him which made him tower over the national scene... As the undisputed leader of Uttar Pradesh and Chief Minister for over a decade, he gave the State the best years of his life, laying the foundation of its strength and prosperity. The tenancy reforms he introduced there made him a pioneer in this field, and never may that sprawling State know the stability and solidarity that it enjoyed under his firm, but under-standing rule.