In the history of the Hyderabad Liberation Struggle, the integration of Marathwada into a united Maharashtra, and the region's subsequent development, the name of Govindbhai Shroff is remembered with great respect. At a young age, he joined the freedom struggle against the Nizam of Hyderabad and played a decisive role in its final phase. He was also instrumental in the trifurcation of the Hyderabad state and the merger of Marathwada with Maharashtra. After independence, he stayed away from politics and devoted the remaining 55 years of his life to the development of Marathwada. His socialist ideology left a distinct mark on society.

Govindbhai was born on July 24, 1911, in Bijapur. Originally from a Shroff family of Gujarat, his family had settled in Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) in search of livelihood. After the untimely death of his father, Govindbhai and his younger brother were raised by their grandmother Maganbai, mother Rukminibai, and aunt Harkunwar. He received his primary education at a Gujarati school in Aurangabad and completed his secondary education at the Government English School in the same city.

It was during his time at this school that he came into contact with his Sanskrit teacher, V. G. Karve Guruji. A true patriot, Karve Guruji inculcated the same love for the nation in his students. Under his influence, Govindbhai not only developed a keen interest in Sanskrit but also found inspiration for public service and patriotism. This early mentorship sparked in him a deep desire to engage in educational and social work.

When Govindbhai was around fourteen or fifteen years old, Karve Guruji gave him the biography of Swami Vivekananda to read. This book left a deep and lasting impression on him. Soon after, he began reading works like The 1857 War of Independence by Veer Savarkar, the biography of Giuseppe Mazzini, and Mahatma Gandhi’s journal Young India. These readings awakened in him a strong sense of patriotism, and even while still in the matriculation class, he became acutely aware of the oppressive rule of the Nizam.

To build physical strength and inspire patriotism among the youth, he joined the "Samarth Vyayamshala" (a gymnasium promoting fitness and discipline). At one point, due to a minor incident, the school principal demanded a public apology from him. Govindbhai, standing firmly by his principles, refused to apologize. As a result, he left the school and decided to continue his education in Hyderabad.

Despite the family's dire financial condition, his grandmother gave him her full support. In 1928, he appeared for the matriculation examination from a school in Hyderabad and stood first in the entire Hyderabad State. Following this remarkable achievement, Govindbhai was awarded the prestigious Gokhale Scholarship, a mark of high honor. He enrolled at Nizam College in Hyderabad for further studies. Alongside academics, he excelled in chess, volleyball, and photography, showcasing his wide-ranging interests and talents.

In 1930, responding to Mahatma Gandhi’s call for the Non-Cooperation Movement, Govindbhai and four of his friends made a bold decision to abandon their studies and join the freedom struggle. He began working as a volunteer with the Jana Jeevan Sangh in Mumbai. Through this organization, he launched a movement among farmers in Olpad, a village in Surat district, advocating against unjust taxes and land revenue levies.

It was during this time that he drew inspiration from both Gandhian and Marxist ideologies, leading to the formation of a balanced, constructive worldview rooted in justice and equality. After the end of Gandhi’s Satyagraha and a year of dedicated service to the nation, Govindbhai resumed his education. He earned a B.Sc. (Honours) from City College in Calcutta (now Kolkata), followed by dual degrees—an M.Sc. in Mathematics and an LLB.—from Pune.

After completing his education, Govindbhai returned to Aurangabad in 1936 and took a vow to dedicate himself to national service and social work. Along with friends who shared Marxist views, he established a “Study Circle” where regular discussions were held on Marxism, socialism, and Gandhian philosophy. He used public celebrations like the Ganesh festival to spread messages of patriotism among the people.

To devote more time to public service, he declined a career in law and instead took up a teaching job in Aurangabad. While working at a government school, the Nizam administration imposed a rule mandating traditional attire of Muslim community for teachers. Govindbhai, along with his colleagues, opposed this directive and successfully secured an exemption for everyone.

During communal riots in Chelipura, he handled the situation with fairness and dialogue, without taking sides, which earned him even greater respect in the community. His worldview increasingly reflected a thoughtful blend of Marxist ideas and Gandhian values.

At that time, Marathwada was a part of the Hyderabad State, ruled by the feudal regime of Nizam Mir Osman Ali. Despite being the majority, the Hindu population in the state had no religious or civil freedoms. They were routinely discriminated against in government jobs, and educational facilities. Under the feudal system, farmers were constantly oppressed and exploited.

In 1937, the Maharashtra Parishad was established to demand civil rights for the people of the Hyderabad State. At its first convention held in Partur, Govindbhai met Swami Ramanand Tirth. Deeply influenced by Swamiji’s radical ideas, Govindbhai decided to support him in Hyderabad’s political movement. At the Partur session, he skillfully handled the disagreements between the moderate and extremist factions, achieving a sense of unity — a moment that revealed his emerging leadership qualities. He also played a key role in drafting the constitution of the Parishad.

The years 1938 and 1939 proved to be pivotal in the history of the Hyderabad State. During this period, the government imposed a ban on the song “Vande Mataram,” sparking widespread anger among students in Aurangabad. Govindbhai organized and led them in a Satyagraha. The movement quickly spread across the entire state. As a result of the protest, 1,200 students were suspended and many were imprisoned. Undeterred, Govindbhai made arrangements for the education of these suspended students in universities outside the state, including in Nagpur and other cities.

With the aim of uniting the various linguistic communities of the Hyderabad State and establishing a responsible government, the concept of a central organization called the Hyderabad State Congress was proposed. However, before it could formally take shape, the Nizam’s government banned it. In response, Swami Ramanand Tirth gave a call for satyagraha. On 24 October 1938, the movement was launched under the leadership of Govindrao Nanal, and Govindbhai accepted the responsibility as the Aurangabad center chief.

Resigning from his government job, Govindbhai traveled across Marathwada to inspire the youth to join the movement. During this period, he was also arrested. After Mahatma Gandhi instructed a temporary suspension of the satyagraha, Govindbhai shifted his focus to constructive social work and joined the management of Saraswati Bhuvan School in Aurangabad.

Until 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad was preparing to establish an independent sovereign state. However, the Government of India advised him to merge with the Indian Union. With the rise of the Razakars' atrocities and the Nizam’s growing ties with Pakistan and other Muslim nations, the situation became increasingly tense. Acting on the orders of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Indian Army launched Operation Polo on 13 September 1948. Within just 109 hours, on 17 September 1948, the Nizam surrendered, and Hyderabad was officially integrated into India.

After Hyderabad was integrated into India, Govindbhai felt a deep lack of public welfare in the military administration that followed. He had hoped for the abolition of feudalism and social inequality. However, upon realizing that the Congress Party’s policies were increasingly influenced by capitalists, he resigned from its membership.

In 1950, he founded two new organizations: the League of Socialist Workers and the Marathwada Kisan Parishad. At a meeting held in Nanded, Govindbhai presented the Nanded Manifesto, which laid out a vision for a socialist state structure and clearly outlined the need and direction for social change.

Unfortunately, in the 1952 elections, neither he nor the candidates from his alliance succeeded in Marathwada. As a result, the League of Socialist Workers was dissolved in 1954, and Govindbhai withdrew from active party politics.

Nevertheless, he played a crucial role in the formation of a united Maharashtra. In 1956, the Hyderabad State was reorganized on linguistic lines, and Marathwada was merged with Maharashtra. Subsequently, on May 1, 1960, the state of Maharashtra was officially established.

Govindbhai dedicated his entire life to the development of Marathwada. He founded institutions like the Marathwada Vikas Mandal and the Marathwada Janata Vikas Parishad, through which he consistently advocated for a statutory development board for the region. He also pursued key developmental goals such as irrigation projects, agro-industries, an agricultural university, railway line expansions, new roads, a bench of the High Court, and industrial development.

In 1992, Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao offered him the Padma Vibhushan award. However, Govindbhai firmly stated that he would only accept the honor once a statutory development board was granted to Marathwada. In line with his condition, the announcement for such a board was made on March 9, 1992, after which he accepted the Padma Vibhushan.

At heart, Govindbhai was a teacher. He believed that education should cultivate maturity, wisdom, practical skills, and a scientific outlook in individuals. Taking charge of the Saraswati Bhuvan Educational Institution, he transformed it into a center of both education and culture. He promoted admission without donations, strict financial discipline, and a strong emphasis on academic excellence.

The Government of Maharashtra appointed Govindbhai as the honorary chairman of the Total Literacy Campaign. Under his leadership, Aurangabad district successfully achieved its literacy goals. He further carried forward the legacy of Swami Ramanand Tirth by establishing the Swami Ramanand Tirth Memorial Trust and the Swami Ramanand Tirth Research Institute.

Govindbhai was not only a patriot and a social worker but also a visionary thinker. He took clear and firm stands on vital issues such as development based on social equality, decentralization of power in a democracy, value-based education, self-reliant village industries, people-centric industrialization, and a foreign policy rooted in international peace.

His lifestyle was remarkably simple, and his personal needs were minimal. In public life, he was truly without enemies. He consistently declined positions of power and instead took on the tough mission of working for the upliftment of the backward Marathwada region. Until the very end of his life, he remained actively engaged in service.

On November 21, 2002, Govindbhai passed away. In his loss, Maharashtra bid farewell to a freedom fighter, a socialist leader, a visionary of development, and a devoted guide who loved Marathwada deeply. His work, ideals, and selfless sacrifices will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.