18 Facts About Bishnuram Medhi

Bishnuram Medhi was an Indian politician and freedom-fighter who served as the Chief Minister of Assam from 1950 to 1957 and Governor of Madras State from January 1958 till May 1964.

Bishnuram Medhi was born to poor Assamese peasants, Sonaram and Alehi, of Hajo, near Gauhati, on 24 April 1888.

Forefathers of Bishnuram settled in Hajo in early eighteenth century from the erstwhile Koch Kingdom, Cooch Beher via Barpeta and was given the charge of "Medhi" in the famous Hayagreeva Madhav Temple of Hajo.

One prominent person of Hajo, late Holiram Bishnuram Medhi, became an Extra Assistant Commissioner under British Rule after studying at Gauripur, in the English School run by the Jaminder of Gauripur as there was no other school in Assam, at that time, imparting modern English education.

Bishnuram Medhi pursued his studies in law and was called to the bar in 1914.

Bishnuram Medhi joined the Indian National Congress in the 1920s and participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement.

In 1930, Bishnuram Medhi was elected President of the Assam Provincial Congress.

Bishnuram Medhi assisted and played crucial role with Gopinath Bordoloi in securing Assam for India and preventing from being a part of East Pakistan under grouping during India's Independence.

When provincial autonomy was introduced in 1935, Bishnuram Medhi served as the finance minister in Gopinath Bordoloi's cabinet.

In 1950, Bishnuram Medhi was elected Chief Minister of Assam and served from 1950 to 1957.

Bishnuram Medhi took stern action against illegal settlers which made him unpopular amongst few powerful members of his own party who considered the settlers as prominent vote bank.

Bishnuram Medhi was a Teetotaller and strict disciplinarian as an individual and in public life.

Certainly, Bishnuram Medhi disapproved activities of the communists, publicly deplored them and announced award of Ten Thousand on Bishnu Prasad Rabha, another legendary son of Assam and rebel leader of the communist movement in Assam.

Bishnuram Medhi was equally suspicious on the activities of the Christian Missionaries and their role in fermenting secessionist activities in the hill districts of undivided Assam.

From 1958 to 1964, Bishnuram Medhi served as the Governor of Madras.

Bishnuram Medhi had a long eventful life which came to an end on 21 January 1981 at the age of 92.

Bishnuram Medhi's wife, Nirmala Medhi, was a devoted and pious lady.

One Tamil gentleman saw the Late Nirmala Bishnuram Medhi weaving the traditional Assamese Gamocha and appreciating the tremendous business potential, started producing Gamocha in Madras in large scale and thus Gamocha from Madras started selling in Assam.