Mohan Lal Verma was a leader of Indian independence movement and a lifelong follower of Mahatma Gandhi. After independence he was appointed as MLC - Member of the State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) from Hardoi constituency from 1948 to 1952. After this tenure he also served the district of Hardoi for a decade as MLA- Member of the Legislative Assembly for two consecutive terms from 1957 to 1967. He won his first MLA election from Sandila constituency in 1957 and again in 1962 from erstwhile Gondwa constituency. Even after his political career he continued to serve the people of Hardoi and bring development to the district until his death. Early life Mohan Lal was born in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, on 12 October 1912. His father was Prayag Datt Verma, a prosperous landlord, and his mother was Raj Rani Verma. The family migrated to Hardoi after a few years of his birth but within a few years of moving to Hardoi, Mohan Lal's father died. Due to the local traditions of th time, women were not allowed to move out of their houses, hence his mother could not manage their properties and businesses, and a number of them were lost. In spite of his family's hardships, Mohan Lal continued to support his mother as a young child. Contribution to the Indian independence movement In his early childhood, Verma realised India was ruled by the British and he wanted to see his country freed from colonialism. When he was in 9th grade, he left home to join the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. His family was worried about him as they knew the consequences of getting captured by the British. Verma played a key role in mobilising the people of Hardoi and neighbouring towns to join the movement. He was appointed as Head of Congress Seva Dal in 1932 for Hardoi district. In 1930, Gandhi launched the Salt Satyagraha and 5 May 1930, he was arrested at Karadi near Dandi for violating the Salt Law, section 144 was imposed in the country. Verma led the protest against Gandhi's arrest in Hardoi and was taken in custody along with five of his colleagues. All five, except Verma, apologised in writing to the British Government. As a result of his defiance, Verma was sentenced to four months in jail. He was again sent to jail by the British in 1932 for six months,