Bhagalpur's 'Dharti Pakad' Nagarmal Bajoria Passes Away

NOT ONLY INDIA। Nagarmal Bajoria of MP Dwivedi Marg, Bhagalpur, known as 'Dharti Pakad', passed away on September 3 in Patna. He had contested over 280 elections and was known for making the common man realize his power in democracy.

Electoral Life and Social Contribution

Nagarmal Bajoria participated in more than 280 elections during his lifetime, of which three nominations were canceled due to technical reasons. He had filed his nomination against then presidential candidate VV Giri in 1969 and contested his last election in 2019. He valued participation in democracy more than winning elections.

Stepping out of the business circles of the Marwari community in Bhagalpur, he awakened political consciousness and inspired youth to advance in social and public life. His style of contesting elections was unique; he used to carry placards with politicians' pictures hung around donkeys' necks during nomination rallies.

His social concerns were not limited to elections. When the city faced a drinking water crisis, he installed several hand pumps at public places at his own expense and played an active role in water distribution. This is why he was called 'Dharti Pakad'.

Birth, Family, and Last Rites

Nagarmal Bajoria was born in 1930 in Lahore, Pakistan. After the partition of the country, he settled in Bhagalpur and established his business here. He is survived by three sons: Satish Kumar, Ajay Kumar, and Dilip Kumar.

He had been ill for the past 10 to 15 days and was undergoing treatment at PMCH in Patna, where he breathed his last. His mortal remains were brought from Patna to Bhagalpur at 9 PM on Thursday night. The last journey will start from his residence at 8 AM on Friday, and his last rites will be performed at Barari Ghat.

News of his death has caused a wave of mourning in social and political circles.

Electoral Record and Identity

Nagarmal Bajoria contested elections ranging from municipal bodies to the presidency. At the age of 93, he had decided to contest elections from three Lok Sabha seats. Despite struggling with age-related health issues, he bought a Maruti van for election campaigning.

He believed that winning elections was not the priority; rather, the main objective was to make the common man realize his power in democracy. For this reason, he was known as 'Dharti Pakad' in Bhagalpur. His family claims that his name is recorded in the Limca Book of Records.

The political and business communities are expressing grief over his demise.

He had staged a unique protest against corruption during an election around 2005

Alok Kumar Agrawal, Businessman

Bajoria ji played a key role in selflessly arranging matrimonial alliances for countless young men and women not only in Bihar but also in other states and even neighboring Nepal

Kunj Bihari Jhunjhunwala