The Bhoodan leader Vinoba Bhave inaugurated the Bhoodan Movement in :

The correct answer is - Telangana

Key Points

• Bhoodan Movement
  • The Bhoodan Movement was initiated by Vinoba Bhave in 1951.
  • It aimed to persuade wealthy landowners to voluntarily donate a part of their land to the landless and poor.
  • This was a non-violent movement inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Inception in Telangana
  • The movement was inaugurated in Pochampally village, located in the state of Telangana (then part of Hyderabad state).
  • Vinoba Bhave visited Pochampally in April 1951, where 80 acres of land were voluntarily donated by a landlord to the landless.
  • This marked the beginning of the Bhoodan Movement, gaining momentum across the country.

Additional Information

• Vinoba Bhave's Role
  • Vinoba Bhave, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was known as the "Acharya" (teacher).
  • He was inspired by Gandhi's philosophy of trusteeship, which emphasized the ethical use of wealth for the welfare of society.
  • His efforts in the Bhoodan Movement earned him the title of "The Walking Saint."
• Expansion of the Movement
  • The movement spread to various parts of India, with landlords donating millions of acres of land to the poor.
  • It later evolved into the Gramdan Movement, which aimed at collective ownership of land by villages.
  • Despite its initial success, the movement faced challenges in implementation, such as lack of proper land redistribution and legal formalities.
• Pochampally Village
  • Pochampally, where the movement began, is now known as the Weavers' Village and is famous for its Ikat sarees.
  • The village is considered a symbol of social reform and is often referred to as the birthplace of the Bhoodan Movement.