Freedom fighters recall glory days

GURGAON: As the country wakes up to celebrate its 67th year of Independencetwo freedom fighters who live in Gurgaon share memories of their glory daysfirst as members of the British Indian Army and later as soldiers of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army.
Revisiting the days when he fought in World War II for the British Indian Army99-year-old Chajju Singh's face brightened up as he spoke to TOI."I was inducted into the British army in 1939 from Bhondsi (near Gurgaon). After trainingI went by ship to PenangMalaysiato join the war against the Japanesethat we lost. I lost a ear in a blast there. It was as a prisoner of war thereafter that gave me the strength to fight for India," said Chajjuwho is bedridden with fractures in both feet.
"We were confined for days without water and food in the jungle. I even ate leaves and wild animals," said the veteran. It was Netaji who rekindled hope of returning home to their familieshe said. But when they joined INABose's vision of a free India overtook their dreams of home.
Chajju Singhwho lives with son Balraj in Sector 31said the government recognized him as a freedom fighter in 1972 after fellow soldier Ranvir Singh Hoodafather of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singhformed a freedom fighters' association and made a representation for their welfare to then PM Indira Gandhi.
Endowed with a sharp memoryJagram Yadav92recalls he was posted in Rangoon with Netaji's INA. He lives with his son Col O P Yadavwho served in the Indian Army in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Jagram carries scars on his leg and stomach. "Stories of World War II valour that I heard from my father led me to join the army. I'm proud of our rich family heritageincluding my battlefront experience in Kargil in 1971," said Yadav.
Unlike Jagram and Singhno one today remembers K A Neelakanthan Aiyer. Yetas member of the INAhe was involved in the drafting of the charter of Indian Independencealong with Gen Mohan Singh and Capt Mohammed Akram. He also presented it to Japanese colonel Fujiwara.
According to son N Viswanathan74who lives in DelhiAiyer died in a plane crash in March 1942 while on a goodwill mission to Tokyo
in a delegation that included Capt AkramSwami Shivananda Puri and Arjun Singh.