‘Bachcho se jooth nahi bolte’ – an inspiring story of Karpuri Thakur’s autograph in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Japan K Pathak: While Karpuri Thakur’s name is announced for India’s highest honor ‘Bharat Ratna’ today, here’s an inspiring story regarding his signature, possessed by a Gujarat-based doctor.

Dr. Rajal Thaker, a resident of Bopal area fondly possesses Karpuri Thakur’s signature that she received in the year 1975 when she was just 10 years old when Thakur was staying in her father’s home in the Navrngpura area.

There was an emergency imposed countrywide by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Karpuri Thakur from Bihar was in hiding at Rajal Thaker’s father late journalist/columnist Vidyutbhai Thaker’s residence, Manav flats in the Navrangpura area.  Vidyutbhai had left the Congress party, protesting the decision of imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi. Karpuri Thakur would reside at Vidyutbhai’s residence with the fake identity of Professor Gautam.

Dr. Rajal Thaker says, ‘I was a class-5 student at that time and too young to understand what emergency means. As a 10-year-old child at that time, I sought the autograph of “Professor Gautam” when he was leaving our place after a few days-long stay. And instead of “Professor Gautam”, he signed as Karpuri Thakur. When Vidyutbhai asked him, why he disclosed his identity and gave a real name in autograph, Karpuri Thakur replied – “Bachcho se jooth nahi bolte” (can’t lie to children). ”

Even after nearly fifty years, the words Dr. Thaker late Karpuri Thakur’s words “Bachcho se jooth nahi bolte.” The signature given to her by Karpuri Thakur when he was hiding under the identity of “Professor Gautam” is attached to this article. DeshGujarat