Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar, commonly known as G.V. Mavlankar, served as the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, from 1952 until his passing in 1956. Born on November 27, 1888, in Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat, Mavlankar was a prominent freedom fighter and an influential figure in India’s legislative history.
Mavlankar pursued his education in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, earning a degree in science. He was actively involved in India’s struggle for independence, aligning with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. His dedication to public service led to his election as the President of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1946, a position he held until India gained independence in 1947.
As the inaugural Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mavlankar played a pivotal role in establishing parliamentary procedures and upholding the dignity of the house. His tenure was marked by a commitment to impartiality and the effective functioning of parliamentary democracy in the newly independent nation.
On November 27, 2024, the 136th anniversary of Mavlankar’s birth, several Indian political leaders paid homage to his legacy. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress MP Sonia Gandhi were among those who offered floral tributes, underscoring Mavlankar’s enduring impact on India’s parliamentary traditions.
Beyond his political contributions, Mavlankar was instrumental in promoting shooting sports in India. He served as the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), and in his honor, the All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship was established. This annual event continues to be a significant platform for budding shooters across the country.
The 33rd All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship was held from November 3 to 7, 2024, at the Vattiyoorkavu Shooting Range in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Anshul Batra of Abohar made history by winning four gold medals in all the rifle shooting events he participated in, setting a new record by scoring a perfect 400/400 points.
Additionally, Aakash Satish Gudgennatti of KLES Lingaraj College, Belagavi, secured gold medals in both the senior and junior shooting categories at the Pre-33 All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship held in Thiruvananthapuram.
These achievements highlight the championship’s role in nurturing shooting talent in India, continuing the legacy of G.V. Mavlankar in promoting sports.
