Shri Narhar Vishnu Gadgil popularly known as Kakasaheb Gadgil; was an erudite lawyer, veteran  freedom  fighter, eminent   politician   and  an  outstanding literary  figure.   Born  on  10th  January, 1896,  he  graduated  from the Fergusson College,  Pune in 1918 and obtained a Degree in Law in  1920. He was deeply influenced by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel during his life time. Swami 'Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda  also left a deep impress upon his mind and character.

He actively participated in the nationalist movement from 1920 when he joined the Indian National  Congress. He took part in all  the  Congress  movements from 1921 onwards and suffered  imprisonment eight. times. Shri N.V. Gadgil came to rank as one of  the  prominent  national leaders. He  was  an  office-bearer  in  the Congress organisation for more than three decades from  1921. He was Secretary,   Poona  District   Congress Committee (1921-25); President, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress, Committee (1937-45); Member, Congress Working Committee (1952-55); and Whip and Secretary of the Congress Legislature Party (1945-47). He  was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1934. He was  Minister  in  the first Cabinet of independent  India  from 1947 to 1952 and  held  several  portfolios  like Commerce, Works, Mines and Power. During his tenure in the Central Cabinet, he  initiated  many  development  projects such as Bhakra, Hirakud and Koyna. He served as the Governor  of  Punjab from 1958 to 1962.

He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Poona University in 1964. He was also associated with several public associations and institutions such as Sarvajanik Sabha Pune;  the  Young  Men's  Association, Pune; the Maharashtra Youth League, Bombay; Pune Central Cooperative Bank and the Pune Municipality.

He was one of the pioneers of social reform movements in Maharashtra in the 1930s.

Shri Gadgil was a profile writer. He wrote several books and articles on Politics, Economics, Law History, Oratory etc. His important works include 'Pathik' (an autobiography), 'Rajya Shastra Vichar', 'Sabha   Shastra', 'Vaktrutva Shastra' and 'Gyanbache Arthasbastra'. For his great contribution to Marathi literature he was elected President of the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1962. After an illustrious career of public service, he died on 12th January, 1966.

The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Narhar Vishnu Gadgil, a veteran freedom fighter and a prominent nationalist leader.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India