Kartik Baba was born in a poor farmer family. Both his parents were illiterate. Despite this, due to his strong willpower, the dimension he created in the field of education is still visible in very few educated families. His teachers first recognized his talent in school. It sharpened his passion for education and his desire to achieve something great. After studying from Patna Science College, Baba Karthik Oraon obtained the degree of Civil Engineering from the same Engineering College with good marks. Worked in the state government for a few days. After this he desired to go abroad for higher education. Despite all the difficulties, with the financial help of the intelligentsia of the society, he reached England. While working in British Railways, he obtained degrees in Civil Structural Engineering from renowned colleges and universities there. The educational institutions in which he studied included the educational institutions of Glasgow and America. The foreign colleagues who worked with him were astonished at how easily an Indian could pass even the most difficult exams. He passed many such examinations, which were difficult for even the best to pass. Baba played an important role in designing England’s first nuclear power station built at Hinkley Point.
Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru caught sight of him during the diaspora meeting program at the Indian Embassy in London. The talent of a tribal engineer astonished Pandit Nehru. He asked Baba Kartik Oraon to return to India and join the service of the country. Baba Karthik Oraon could not refuse the Prime Minister’s request. When Kartik Oraon returned home, he was made Deputy Chief Engineer (Design) of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), Ranchi.
After returning home, Karthik Oraon got the opportunity to closely see, know and understand the condition of poor tribals. The plight of the tribal society was not visible to him. Left his job and contested elections from Lohardaga parliamentary constituency. Despite failure in the first election, he continued to unite and awaken the tribals. Reached Parliament after winning the next elections. He demonstrated his wisdom and sensitivity in the Lok Sabha. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also impressed by his talent. She used to consult Baba on important issues. Karthik Oraon was the Communications Minister in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet.
To unite the tribals in the country and raise their voice, Karthik Oraon established the All India Tribal Development Council in the year 1967. Understanding the condition of the tribals, Baba presented their plight and solution to the country through a booklet titled ‘Twenty Years of Dark Night’. In this context, for the betterment and justice of the society, a Private Member Bill was introduced in the Parliament, in which, based on the facts, the converted tribals who have faith and belief in the original tribal religion will be held guilty of injustice and violation of their constitutional rights. Ordained. He advocated keeping such people out of reservation.
About 300 MPs supported this bill in the Parliament. Despite this, the top leadership of the Congress systematically did not allow this bill to be passed in the Parliament. Karthik Baba proved his identity as a very honest, capable and capable person who would live and die for the downtrodden tribal society. I think that every worthy politician must have these qualities and the public should also choose their representatives on this basis. If only! We could all do that! Baba had described qualitative education as a weapon of social change. Through the Council, for this purpose, 126 night schools are being run by rural boys and girls in Ranchi, Gumla and Lohardaga districts of Jharkhand under the supervision of alert guards of the tribal society. These school teachers, students and their parents will take the society, state and country forward strongly in the future.
Let us tell you that Baba Kartik Oraon, like a true Karmayogi, had sacrificed his life in the Parliament itself. Today (8th December), on the death anniversary of Kartik Baba, we all pay our heartfelt tribute to him and pledge to fulfill his dreams by following the path shown by him.
Dr. Arun Oraon, The author is a former IPS officer and BJP leader. Under the guidance of Dr. Arun Oraon, son-in-law of Kartik Oraon, 126 night schools are being run in three districts of Jharkhand to educate the society.