B. G. Kher

Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (24 August 1888 – 8 March 1957 ) was an Indian politician who served as the prime minister of Bombay (1937–1939, 1946–1947) and the first chief minister (then called Premier ) of Bombay State (1947–1952). He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher was often described as "Sajjan", good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions.

Early life Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher was born on 24 August 1888 at Ratnagiri in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family . He spent some years of his boyhood at Kundgol in the then Jamkhandi State. Later, he migrated at the instance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale to Pune to study at the New English School. Later he received a B.A. degree with high distinction from Wilson College (Mumbai) in 1908, where he was also awarded the Bhau Daji Lad prize for standing first in Sanskrit.

Kher along with Manilal Nanavati started a firm called Manilal Kher & Co. The firm commenced practice on 7 June 1918. The firm was the only firm in Mumbai to have its inauguration ceremony being presided over by the renowned judge Sir Frank Beaman. The firm's name was then changed to Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co.

Political career Kher's political career began in 1922. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Bombay branch of the Swaraj Party.

Reception Kher allotted plots of land in Bandra East to people belonging to the Hindu-Khatik (Scheduled caste) community in 1950–51. That area is known as Kherwadi in his memory. Kher established schools and a hospital, and provided electricity and water supply for people staying in Kherwadi. The Hindu-Khatik community celebrates his birthday at his statue at the Nanda Deep Garden, Kala Nagar, Bandra East.

Declassified MI5 documents were appreciative of Kher and described him as preferable to other political candidates, due to his honesty, sincerity and a preference for the "Anglo" way of administration.