Formation of Adarsh Flim Limited:

After release from jail, Govind Das ji stayed at Gopalbagh. His father had given up his property to Court of Wards. He received monthly money for his expenditures from the Court of Wards. While, the management of the Court of Wards took care of the debts. Govind Das ji had given up claims over his patriarchal property, so earning a livelihood was a question before him.

During the period he spent in the prison, Govinddasji had written a large number of plays. So he decided to publish some, stage some and make films upon some. A lot of literary figures were attracted to films during this period. Well-known writers like Munshi Premchandra and Bechan Sharma were prominent among these. Film on the work of Munshi Premchandra’s work ‘Sevasadan’ was already under production. Most of his time was now spent in Bombay. Govind Das ji held talks with a lot of companies but somehow things did not work out. In the end he himself formed a film company, Adarsh Film Limited, with a capital investment of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Marwaris of Bombay purchased shares worth Rs. 1 lakh. He appointed himself as managing agent with monthly payment Rs. 500. The work pertaining to the company could not commence due to 1934 elections.

Making of Flim ‘Dhuadhar’

Dalit Kusum and Africa Mein Bharat

Tussle of Power in Mahakoshal Election committee:

The whirlwind election campaign of the Congress met with massive popular response, even though Gandhiji did not address even a single election meeting. The political rivalry in the Mahakoshal region reached its climax during this period.

The election committee comprised of Govind Das ji , Capt. Avdesh Pratap Singh from Rewa, Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla and Pt. Dwarika Prasad Mishra. The work of selecting the President was entrusted with Govind Das ji. Pt. Makhan Lal Chaturvedi was made the President of the Mahakoshal Election committee. State of Madhya Pradesh comprised of Mahakoshal, Nagpur and Berar. Since maximum number of members went from Mahakoshal therefore it was natural that Chief Minister would be from among the members from Mahakoshal.

Some names were selected unanimously while for some there was difference of opinion. There arose difference of opinion over the name of candidate for the Mahakoshal Election committee between Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla and Pt. Dwarika Prasad Mishra, which was later worked out. Now the names were forwarded to All India Election Committee. But Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla forwarded All India Election Committee an appeal over the names rejected over by the committee. It was mainly upon the name of Makhan Lal Chaturvedi.

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the then President of the Congress but remained aloof from such matter concerning difference of opinion. Sadar Vallabh Bhai Patel then handled all such affairs and Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla had close association with him.

Resignation from Congress:

The next session of Congress was scheduled to take place at Faizpur, it was first of its kind to take place in village, as per the desires of Gandhiji.

The decision taken by the All India Congress Election Committee over the cancellation of Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s name from the list was considered an injustice by Govind Das ji. Therefore he along with Pt. Dwarika Prasad Mishra resigned from Congress during the session and went to Bombay. It was heart-breaking decision on the part of Govind Das ji. Since he had been part of the one national body fighting to free India from the tyranny of British government. While on their train journey Govind Das ji and Mishra ji both had serious discussion. Govind Das ji was going with heavy heart while for Mishra ji, it was just another decision. While in Bombay, they received telegram from Capt. Singh about the arrival of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to Jabalpur in connection to the electioneering for the forthcoming elections.

Jawahar’s visit to pacify Govind Das ji:

Both returned to Jabalpur from the next train. All arrangements regarding his stay were made at Gopalbagh. Nehru ji arrived by Mail the following day. Speaking separately, he said to both Mishra ji and Govind Das ji that they cannot leave Congress in this way.

Capt. Singh had planned it all. For Govind Das ji, it was another reminder of the incident, which took place with Pandit ji’s father Motilal Nehru. Previously, he resigned on personal level but now his resignation was motivated by his principles. He had close association with Motilal Nehru. Despite authoritarian behaviour, it was Pandit ji who won and Govind Das ji came back to Congress.

Election of 1937:

The Elections that took place in February 1937, conclusively demonstrated that a large majority of Indian people supported the Congress, which swept the polls in most of the provinces. Of the total 11 regions, Congress received majority in 5 regions. These included Madras, Joint Province, Central Province, Bihar and Orrisa. While in 4 regions it came out as the single largest party. In Sindh and Punjab it was in minority. Governor invited leaders of Congress to form Congress Ministries in 7 regions out of 11. However, they could not obviously change the basically imperialist character of British Administration in India. But they did try to improve the condition of the people within the narrow limits of the powers given to them under the Act of 1935. The Congress Ministers reduced their own salaries drastically to Rs. 500 per month. Most of them travelled second and third class on the railways. They set up new standards of honesty and public service.

Members of the Legislative Assembly, 1935

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