Acharya Vinoba Bhave Biography, Bhoodan Movement and Legacy

Explore the biography of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, India’s spiritual leader, freedom fighter, and founder of the Bhoodan Movement for social reform.

Context: On 11th September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Acharya Vinoba Bhave on his birth anniversary.

About Acharya Vinobha Bhave

Early Life: Born on 11 September 1895 at Gagode, Maharashtra.
- Deeply influenced by the Bhagavad Gita and Gandhian philosophy.
Role in Freedom Struggle: Close associate of Mahatma Gandhi; often regarded as his spiritual successor.
- Participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was imprisoned multiple times.
- First individual Satyagrahi during the Quit India Movement (1940).
Bhoodan Movement (1951): Launched in Telangana to persuade landlords to donate land to landless peasants.
- “Bhoodan” = Land Gift.
- The movement spread across India, → later expanded into Gramdan (village gift) and Sampattidan (wealth gift).
- Collected over 4 million acres of land, though redistribution faced challenges.
Philosophy: Advocated Sarvodaya (welfare of all), Ahimsa (non-violence), and Simple Living.
- Strong proponent of self-reliance, decentralisation, and rural upliftment.
Recognition: Awarded Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 1983).
- Revered as “Acharya” (teacher) for his moral authority and spiritual guidance.
Death: Passed away on 15 November 1982 at Paunar Ashram, Maharashtra.