Rafi Ahmad Kidwai (An Old and Rare Book)

I had the proud privilege of not only having very close contact with Rafi Sahib but had also the unique advantage of working under his guidance. This contact continued for about 17 years i.e. from 1938 till Rafi Sahib's death.

As the General Secretary of Lucknow Students Federation whenever I, alongwith some colleagues approached Rafi Sahib, he very kindly extended every possible help. On various occasions he sent even telegrams to our benefit to the Congress leaders, who had earlier expressed their inability to preside over or inaugurate the students' conferences, organized by the Lucknow or U.P. Students Federation. For instance, in December 1941, Mr. C. Rajagopalachari was to come to Lucknow to deliver the Lucknow University Convocation address. I, as the General Secretary of Lucknow Students Federation, requested Rajaji to address our meeting but C.R. expressed his inability. On approaching Rafi Sahib, he wired to him to accept our invita tion which Rajaji did and addressed a largely attended meeting, held at Aminabad Park over which Rafi Sahib presided. In May 1942, when the war had come very close to Indian border with Japanese invasion expected any moment and public panic on the increase, the Lucknow Students Federation decided to hold a national unity conference. Mr. Satya Murti-the then Deputy leader of the Congress Party in the Central Assembly and Shaikh Hisamuddin, President of All India Majlis-e-Ahrar and a number of other leaders were invited. The aim of the conference was that people should prepare themselves to fight the Japanese aggressors and remain united.

**Contents and Sample Pages**