Ramanlal Ramchandra Mehta was born in 1924 in the village of Chimbhala, located in the Ahmednagar district. Despite receiving education only up to the fourth grade, his commitment to the cause of Indian independence was unwavering. The pivotal moment came on 9 August 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi's clarion call for the British to "go away" reverberated across Bombay, igniting protests nationwide. In the ensuing wave of dissent, Mehta, along with numerous other patriots, found himself incarcerated in Nashik Jail for his involvement in the resistance movement.
Driven by the spirit of sacrifice for the nation, Mehta and his compatriots embarked on a relentless struggle against British tyranny. The rallying cry of "do or die" spurred widespread agitation, culminating in acts of defiance such as the hoisting of the tricolour flag in Srigonda under the leadership of Babumiyan Bandwale. His active participation in these demonstrations, including the symbolic burning of government buildings, led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for two and a half years.
Mehta, along with other freedom fighters, was released from jail, and amidst the festivities, received recognition from both the Central Government and the Maharashtra government for his exceptional contribution to the freedom struggle. Following his release, he established a small business in Teli Galli, Srigonda City, embodying the spirit of self-reliance and resilience.
Ramanlal Ramchandra Mehta passed away in 2002.
Tamra Patra was awarded by the Government of India in 1972.
Samaan Patra was awarded by the Government of Maharashtra in 1964.
Source: Shivaji Govindrao Mhaske, Contributor for CCRT.