India's first zila pramukh passes away

JODHPUR: On October 22, 1959, the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru launched the Panchayati Raj scheme at Nagaur in Rajasthan. Under this scheme, which has come a long way since its inception ushering in the country's decentralised polity, Lekhma Ram was appointed the first zila pramukh.He passed away on Tuesday leaving a few bighas for his family.Despite having personal relations with the likes of Nehru, he has not left behind any political legacy.
Lekhma Ram was a man of vision and ethics with a penchant for development. He was born to Sukhram Bhakal in a peasant family in Janana village of Nagaur on June 22, 1922. He did his schooling from his village and Nagaur. He pursued his BA. from Jaswant College, Jodhpur in 1944 and proceeded to do a law degree from Kanpur. Having completed his LLB in 1946 with first division, he returned to Nagaur to practise law.
During this time, local Congress leaders like Nathu Ram Mirdha and Ram Niwas Mirdha were actively working to strengthen the party's position in Nagaur with prime focus on the peasant community. Lekhma Ram's close aide and party worker, Nityanand Joshi, who is also an octogenarian, said Lekhma Ram came to know these leaders during his legal practice and was coaxed by them to join politics. Nathu Ram Mirdha was also his batchmate in law college.
After some deliberations, he decided to join politics as he had worked extensively to promote education among youth with Baldev Ram Mirdha during his school and college days. He considered himself blessed and gratified to have worked with such legends. In 1952, he contested his first assembly elections from Nagaur (West) constituency. Though he lost, the election gave him greater exposure and identity.
He worked to strengthen the party and propagate its principles. His election as the pradhan of Mundawa was followed by his appointment as the first zila pramukh of Nagaur on September 27, 1959, barely six days before the foundation of the Panchayati Raj.
Prafull Rinwa, ex-chairman, Nagaur Central Cooperative Bank, said that Lekhma Ram toiled day and night for Nagaur's development. He laid emphasis on education, employment and modern farming. He used to visit villages regularly to monitor development, added Rinwa. He consistently charted the path of honesty and simplicity and denounced corruption He remained the zila pramukh till August 7, 1977 and dedicated himself to social service.
"Lekhma Ram regularly came to court and always helped the poor and needy," added Rinwa.
He was also the chairman of "Bharat Sewak Samaj" for four years and remained instrumental in addressing public woes. After working for the peasant community for years, he left the political scene a decade ago due to failing health. He is survived by four sons.