Surur Hoda
Encyclopedia
Surur Hoda: was a socialist politician and trade unionist who believed in the ideals promoted by Mahatma Gandhi
and became involved in various international organisations.
, in Bihar
, India, on 5 May 1928 into a Muslim family. He was trained as a railway engineer at Patna University. He then worked in the railway industry and became active in trade union affairs to such an extent that he found it necessary to leave the country and move to London in 1962.
In the UK he was employed in the railways and civil aviation section of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
.
Hoda was also active in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
. He expressed concern regarding the nuclear testing performed by India and Pakistan in 1998.
He was the young associate of Jai Prakash Narayan, who had founded the Indian Socialist Party shortly after the independence. Hoda also enjoyed a long friendship with George Fernandes
, who had been president of the All India Railwaymen's Federation before becoming the leader of Indian Socialist Party in the early 1970s. Surur Hoda was appointed as Indian Socialist Party's European representative, and it was in that capacity he met many people . This was at the time of Mrs. Indira Gandhi
has imposed emergency rule in India. Jai Prakash Narayan was jailed by the then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi during emergency’, Noel-Baker chaired Surur's Free JP campaign, which contributed to the effort to restore democracy in India. Many opposition politicians, including George Fernandes
, were held in prison during emergency. Surur Hoda played an active part in mobilising public opinion outside India against imposition of emergency and suspension of civil liberties in India.
In the early 1970s, he and his younger brother Mansur Hoda
collaborated with Dr. E.F. Schumacher, the author of the best-selling book “Small is Beautiful
”, to set up the Appropriate Technology Development Association in India, together with George McRobie. This in turn, led to the creation of the Schumacher Institute for Appropriate Technology and Rural Development near Lucknow
. Hoda worked as the chief Executive of the India Development Group and which sought both to raise funds for the Schumacher Institute and to promote the ideas of Fritz Schumacher regarding sustainable Intermediate Technologies.
He was actively involved in issues relating to Bihari refugees in Bangladesh
.The birth of independent Bangladesh out of East Pakistan in 1971 led to many Bihari Pakistanis being stranded in the new state. Surur organized a delegation, headed by Ennals and Ben Whitaker, which contributed to nearly 200,000 refugees returning to Pakistan. Surur and Ennals also worked to promote Tibetan self-determination and the restoration of Fiji's democratic government.
In 1983 Hoda created the Gandhi Foundation in Britain. For services to community relations in Britain and to international human rights, Hoda was awarded the Order of the British Empire
in 2000.
M. S. Hoda's association with the European Institute for Asian Studies is almost as old as the Institute itself. Although not quite a Founder member, he was admitted to membership at the very first meeting of Administrative Board. He was very active on issues relating to South Asia.
He was awarded the Videsh Samman in London on 15 August 2000 by the High Commissioner of India.
Richard Attenborough
has written that
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
and became involved in various international organisations.
Life
Hoda was born near to ChapraChhapra
Chhapra is a city and headquarters of Saran district in the state of Bihar, India. Chhapra is also written as Chapra. It is situated near the junction of the Ghaghara River and The Ganges River....
, in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, India, on 5 May 1928 into a Muslim family. He was trained as a railway engineer at Patna University. He then worked in the railway industry and became active in trade union affairs to such an extent that he found it necessary to leave the country and move to London in 1962.
In the UK he was employed in the railways and civil aviation section of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
International Transport Workers' Federation
The International Transport Workers' Federation is a global union federation of transport workers' trade unions, founded in 1896. In 2009 the ITF had 654 member organizations in 148 countries, representing a combined membership of 4.5 million workers....
.
Hoda was also active in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is an anti-nuclear organisation that advocates unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, international nuclear disarmament and tighter international arms regulation through agreements such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty...
. He expressed concern regarding the nuclear testing performed by India and Pakistan in 1998.
He was the young associate of Jai Prakash Narayan, who had founded the Indian Socialist Party shortly after the independence. Hoda also enjoyed a long friendship with George Fernandes
George Fernandes
George Mathew Fernandes is an Indian trade unionist, politician, journalist, agriculturist, and member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He is a key member of the Janata Dal , and was the founder of the Samata Party...
, who had been president of the All India Railwaymen's Federation before becoming the leader of Indian Socialist Party in the early 1970s. Surur Hoda was appointed as Indian Socialist Party's European representative, and it was in that capacity he met many people . This was at the time of Mrs. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
has imposed emergency rule in India. Jai Prakash Narayan was jailed by the then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi during emergency’, Noel-Baker chaired Surur's Free JP campaign, which contributed to the effort to restore democracy in India. Many opposition politicians, including George Fernandes
George Fernandes
George Mathew Fernandes is an Indian trade unionist, politician, journalist, agriculturist, and member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He is a key member of the Janata Dal , and was the founder of the Samata Party...
, were held in prison during emergency. Surur Hoda played an active part in mobilising public opinion outside India against imposition of emergency and suspension of civil liberties in India.
In the early 1970s, he and his younger brother Mansur Hoda
Mansur Hoda
Mansur Hoda: was born in a middle class Muslim family in eastern Indian state of Bihar. Mansur Hoda as a student, had worked as a research volunteer for the Intermediate Technology Group. After working for Indian Railway for 10 years, he joined Bihar government as Inspector of Factories.Mansur...
collaborated with Dr. E.F. Schumacher, the author of the best-selling book “Small is Beautiful
Small Is Beautiful
Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered is a collection of essays by British economist E. F. Schumacher. The phrase "Small Is Beautiful" came from a phrase by his teacher Leopold Kohr...
”, to set up the Appropriate Technology Development Association in India, together with George McRobie. This in turn, led to the creation of the Schumacher Institute for Appropriate Technology and Rural Development near Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
. Hoda worked as the chief Executive of the India Development Group and which sought both to raise funds for the Schumacher Institute and to promote the ideas of Fritz Schumacher regarding sustainable Intermediate Technologies.
He was actively involved in issues relating to Bihari refugees in Bangladesh
Stranded Pakistanis
Stranded Pakistanis, also known as Biharis, describes the people mainly of the Bihari ethnic group currently residing in Bangladesh who immigrated to East Pakistan with the hopes of joining Pakistan but after the East Pakistan seceded and became Bangladesh were unable to re-immigrate in 1971 and...
.The birth of independent Bangladesh out of East Pakistan in 1971 led to many Bihari Pakistanis being stranded in the new state. Surur organized a delegation, headed by Ennals and Ben Whitaker, which contributed to nearly 200,000 refugees returning to Pakistan. Surur and Ennals also worked to promote Tibetan self-determination and the restoration of Fiji's democratic government.
In 1983 Hoda created the Gandhi Foundation in Britain. For services to community relations in Britain and to international human rights, Hoda was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 2000.
M. S. Hoda's association with the European Institute for Asian Studies is almost as old as the Institute itself. Although not quite a Founder member, he was admitted to membership at the very first meeting of Administrative Board. He was very active on issues relating to South Asia.
He was awarded the Videsh Samman in London on 15 August 2000 by the High Commissioner of India.
Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough , CBE is a British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. As director and producer he won two Academy Awards for the 1982 film Gandhi...
has written that