An English
missionary and social reformer, Charles Andrews Freer (also known as C. F.
Andrews) had a fascination for everything Indian. Born in 1871 in England, He taught
at St. Stephens College in Delhi. A close confidante of Mahatma Gandhi, he
maintained close association with Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Rabindranath Tagore, and
other Indian freedom fighters. He spent time with Gandhi at the Phoenix ashram
in South Africa and worked hard to improve the lot of Indians living in African
countries, West Indies, Fiji, etc.
A veteran
trade union activist, Charles Freer Andrews was president of the Trade Union Congress
two times (1925 and 1927). He also actively participated in the movements for
the eradication of untouchability. Andrews took active participation in
the famous Vaikom Satyagraha in 1925. Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore
in Kerala against removal of deep-rooted malaise of untouchability in Hindu
society. Working closely with Dr.B R Ambedkar he formulated the Dalit (Harijan)
demands in 1933. His love for the poor earned the title of Dinabandhu from Mahatma
Gandhi.
Charles Freer Andrews died in Calcutta in 1940.
Charles Freer Andrews died in Calcutta in 1940.
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