The Unsung Heroes of Our Freedom Struggle
-- Haya Anvar, IX-D, Carmel School
Saturday, July 25, 2020
73 years ago, as the clock was ticking towards twelve on a mid-August night, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave voice to his infamous speech “Tryst with Destiny” as the first Prime Minister of an independent India. This was the day that marked the end of the oppressive colonial British rule dating back to the 18th century. The movement for a free India was a long and painful one, with a wide range of struggles all over the country. The Independence Day was a culmination of all their efforts that paved the way for a sovereign nation.
This Independence Day, let us take some time and revisit the brave men and women who fought for our freedom. Most of us learn about freedom fighters in our history books. However, we should also realize that history has been kind to some and unkind to others. While leaders like Gandhi and Nehru are remembered widely, there are other icons just as significant who are given very little space in our history books. In a caste ridden patriarchal society, the stories of Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule are seldom told. There is a need to understand our own histories in a more complete and inclusive manner. Not only was Ambedkar the father of Indian constitution, but he was also the flag bearer of the rights of the marginalized and the “untouchables”. He was a radical thinker and spoke extensively about the evils of caste system. Similarly, women like Savitribai Phule led the way for women’s education in India. She was a social reformer and educationalist and is known as the first ever teacher of India.
Along the same lines, there are many unsung heroes in our nation’s freedom struggle. As young students, it is our responsibility to know and acknowledge their contributions and learn from the values they have passed on. Just like we learn non-violence and unity from Gandhi, we must also remember to stand up for the oppressed like Ambedkar. The spirit of freedom and democracy must always triumph in our lives. When we talk about the strong women leaders, we must chant the name of Savitribai Phule just as we recall Rani Lakshmibai. These legends of our nation’s past have a lot to pass on to us.
We did gain independence from the British in 1947, but we are yet to be free from numerous societal problems that curb freedom and democracy in our country. Therefore, the movement never ends. India must move forward to achieve a real sense of equality and justice for all. In these times, let us hold the values passed on to us by our freedom fighters as we need it today, more than ever before.
Jai Hind.
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Haya Anvar, IX-D, Carmel School |
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