Nath Pai

Nath Pai
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 1957–1971
Constituency	Rajapur
Personal details
Born	Nath Bapu Pai (1922-09-25)25 September 1922 Vengurla, India
Died	18 January 1971(1971-01-18) (aged 48)
Political party	Praja Socialist Party

Nath Bapu Pai (25 September 1922 – 18 January 1971)[1] was an Indian freedom fighter, Barrister and Member of Parliament being a prominent leader of Praja Socialist Party.[2][3][4][5][6]

Life

He was married to Crystle, a fellow socialist from Austria, and he spoke French and German fluently. He was known for excellent oratory in Marathi and English. Of his debates in the Lok Sabha, veteran journalist D. B. Karnik, wrote “Once he had the floor to himself, he would not miss a single opportunity to put his opponents, particularly the ruling party, in the wrong box. Then quotations would flow, in English, Marathi and Sanskrit. There would be stories and anecdotes. There would be legal arguments and a flourish of emotional outbursts. Above all there would be the beauty of the language coming out with such superb power of expression”.[2]

Achievements

• He fought elections, unsuccessfully, for Mumbai State's assembly in 1952 from Belgaum region.
• He was elected Member of Parliament for 3 consecutive terms from Rajapur (Lok Sabha constituency) in 1957 Indian general election,[7] 1962 Indian general election[8] & 1967 Indian general election.[9]
• He died in January 1971, just before that year's general election. His socialist friend Madhu Dandavate succeeded him as Lok Sabha member from the Rajapur seat.
• The Konkan Railway was his brainchild. Demands for an Indian West Coast railway line were continuously raised by Nath Pai as he actively voiced the concerns of the region.[10]
• In 1954, Barrister Nath Pai was elected the first non-European president of International Union of Socialist Youth, headquartered at Austria.[11]

See also

• Praja Socialist Party
• Rajapur (Lok Sabha constituency)

References

1. "Democratic Socialism in India". www.democraticsocialism.in. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
2. "A Paean for Pai – a Pearl in Parliament" (PDF). lohiatoday.com. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
3. "Personalities". www.manase.org. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
4. "CM wishes to write biographies of 3 former MPs". The Hindu. 26 July 2002. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
5. "Though the Konkan region is a Sena-BJP citadel, rebels could make a dent, says Meena Menon". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
6. "1962: Let truth prevail". asianage.com. The Asian Age. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
7. "India General (2nd Lok Sabha) Election Results – 1957". elections.in. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
8. "India General (3rd Lok Sabha) Election Results – 1962". elections.in. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
9. "India General (4th Lok Sabha) Election Results – 1967". elections.in. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
10. "The Incredible Konkan Railway Story". 24coaches.com. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
11. "THE STRUGGLE FOR IUSY". iusy.org. International Union of Socialist Youth. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.