Kangla Manjhi Sanstha

    Hira singh dev kange, more commonly known as "Kangla Manjhi" was born into a gond family of a small village Telawat, in Baster district of Chhattisgarh erstwhile Madhya Pardesh. No one knows the exact date of his birth. His father Rainu Manjhi was a farmer and his mother Chaiti Bai was a simple house wife. His father had died when he was in his mother's womb. After his birth, his mother had married the second time by the custom of "Churi Pratha", a form of marriage. His upbringing was done by his maternal grandfather
(mother's father).

      Being deprived of parental love Manjhi ji had enough experience of life at an early age. He was sad to see the pathetic condition of his society. Seeing the poverty of his community he kept his name "Kangla". In Baster area of Chhattisgarh state the social leader of the society is called "Manjhi". So Hira Singh Dev Kange become famous as "Kangla Manjhi", means the leader of the poor people. He single handedly shouldered the responsibility to organize the poor tribal society. He worked hard to raise awareness. He explained that the tribal society should unite and raise voice opposed to exploitation.
Manjhi ji created his own organization and he named it 'Shri Manjhi Antarrashtriya Samajwad Adiwasi Kisan Saink Sanstha'. The reason behind the name of the organization was that the members of the organization was poor tribal farmers, who used to subsist on farming but when they tortured or exploited then they  become united like the soldiers and went up against injustice. The Kangla Manjhi Sainik (Soldier) fights for their rights without arms and in accordance with law.

    In 1956 tricolor, the national flag of India was presented to Kangla Manjhi ji by district collector of Durg on the order of the government. Since then during the every official programs of the organization the national flag has been hoisted with respect and honor. Kangla Manjhi was not only a social reformer but a true patriot and freedom fighter also. He participated in freedom fights. Hira Singh Dev Kange was married to Phulwadevi in 1964. Phulwadevi was the daughter of Shri Sumeri Uikey and Smt. Birajo Bai Uikey. Her paternal home was in village Ghodadehi in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh. Her father was a farmer. He was a very reputed person in his village. He was famous by the name of "Pujari". Before marriage, Phulwadevi was a teacher in "Balwadi".

     Manjhi ji made the headquarter of his organization in Delhi. Gradually his small organization turned into a huge group of tribal people. A huge number of tribal people from other states joined the organization. The organization has approximately 10 lakes members, and all members are from tribal community. The organization has its branch offices in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

      Manjhi ji was died on 5 December 1984 due to prolonged illness, at village Baghmar in Durg district of Chhattisgarh state ( then Madhya Pradesh ).

     After the demise of Manjhi ji, the responsibilities of the organization fell on the shoulders of his wife Smt. Phulwadevi kange. She took the charge of the organization intelligently. In the beginning she had to face the many difficulties. Some people of the old ideology had even spoken that a widow woman should live quietly in the corner of the house and that she would not be able to run the organization. Despite these criticism Phulwadevi did not loose hope. She worked very hard and made the organization more robust. The 'Sainik' of the organization began to call her 'Rajmata' and she became famous by the name of 'Rajmata Phulwadevi Kange'. The government of Chhattisgarh state has been given her the honor of 'State Guest' in 2007.