Youths must value sacrifices of freedom fighters: Historian

Nagpur: During the Independence movement our freedom fighters have proved that our people are our nation’s main strength. Hence, today’s youths must value the sacrifices made by our forefathers, said historian Vasant Giri in a lecture titled ‘Vande Mataram’ at CP and Berar College, Reshimbagh, on Friday. The programme was jointly organized by Dipendra Education Society and the college.
Vice-president of the society Col Sunil Deshpande, college principal Milind Barhate and vice-principal Dattatrey Barhate were among the dignitaries present on the dais.
In his address, Giri gave detailed accounts of the bravery displayed by numerous revolutionaries in their quest for an independent India during the British Raj. “They had no regard for their own lives. They believed fate of their nation was more important than theirs,” said Giri.
He started off with the remarkable feat of Mangal Pandey during the Uprising of 1857. “A fearless Pandey took it upon himself to start the rebellion when his regiment learnt that the British deliberately greased rifle cartridges with cow and pig fat to hurt the soldiers’ religious sentiments,” said Giri.
Giri spoke on the martyrdom of Chandra Shekhar Azad on February 27, 1931, at Alfred Park (now Chandra Shekhar Azad Park) in Allahabad. He described Azad as a determined revolutionary who gave up education at the age of 15 to support the Independence movement.
Giri said, “On the fateful day in Alfred Park he and Sukhdev Raj were surrounded by the British police. Azad drew his pistol with lightning reflex and killed three constables. He took a bullet on his thigh as he selflessly defended Sukhdev and finally rested against a tree. Even after Azad shot self, the police couldn’t believe he was dead. They fired a barrage of bullets and stab his lifeless body with bayonets to make sure he had no life left in him. Such was the fear Azad instilled in the enemy.”
According to Giri, people today concentrate more on materialistic prosperity and forget their obligations towards their country. “It would be nice to see our people work hard to safeguard our nation’s integrity and be grateful to the great men and women who have laid down their lives for a free India,” he said.
(Reporting by Mohnish Nelarwar)