Vinayak "Vinoba" Bhave, born on this day in 1895, was an Indian advocate of non-violence and human rights. Often called "Acharya" (Sanskrit for "teacher"), he is best known for initiating the Bhoodan Movement, which attempted to persuade wealthy landowners to voluntarily give a percentage of their land to landless people.

The initial objective of the movement was to secure voluntary donations and distribute it to the landless, but it soon came to demand 1/6 of all private land.

It was also a part of a comprehensive movement for the establishment of a Sarvodaya Society (Sarvodaya is a Sanskrit term meaning 'universal uplift' or 'progress of all'), both in and outside India.

"All revolutions are spiritual at the source. All my activities have the sole purpose of achieving a union of hearts."

- Vinoba Bhave