Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a well-known social reformer and independence leader in India, passed away on September 1, 1920 at the age of 64. He was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India on July 23, 1856. He was a major advocate for India’s independence from the British Raj and was instrumental in establishing several political and social reforms in India. He founded publications such as ‘Kesari’, ‘The Mahratta’ and ‘The Maratha’, which helped spread awareness about the need for Indian independence. Throughout his life, Tilak fought for the freedom of India, and pushed for educational, social and religious reforms in the country. He is credited with leading the first-ever public protest in the late 1800s against the British, and was instrumental in organizing more peaceful protests through the Home Rule League in 1916. Tilak was also a renowned scholar, having translated the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic literature into the Marathi language. In addition, he was a bearer of India’s ancient wisdom and of many liberal ideas. Tilak received numerous awards for his services to the Indian freedom movement, including a Knighthood from the British Government in 1916. He will be remembered as one of the great figures in the history of Indian independence.