The Independence Struggle: To the free lives we are living today…

-- Sheryl Ann Prasad, VII-A, , Indian Educational School (Bhavans)

Thursday, July 30, 2020

“It is because of those who fought for us that now we are living as free people and not as caged ones.” Don’t you think this is quiet true? If the freedom fighters would have thought to not fight for their rights and sit lazily, like something most of us might have done, then we still would have been in hostage. Aren’t we lucky enough to live as free people? On our 74th Independence Day, I would like to mark the memories, contributions and struggles of those freedom fighters who also wanted to live the free lives we are living today. So here is a list of freedom fighters whose lives were lost for the sake of our freedom. And by the way, these freedom fighters are not popular but have done a lot for the country.

Puli Thevar: He is known as the first Indian freedom fighter. He ruled Nerkattumsevval in Tirunelveli. He defeated the British and the Nawab of Arcot's forces. He was then executed in 1755.

Ahmadulla Shah: He was the Leader of various battles including the Battle of Chinhat, the Siege of Lucknow, the Capture of Lucknow, and the Chapati Movement. Chapati? Movement??? The chapati movement involved the unusual distribution of thousands of chapatis, across several Indian villages during 1857 carrying message of their native emperor seeking their services. The ultimate origin of the movement is unknown; though British agents suggested the chapatis might contain secret notes, inspections revealed no such messages.

The movement first came into attention in February 1857. Reports began pouring from villages of North India that thousands of chapatis were passing from one hand to another. The usual distribution procedure involved a person who would come from the jungle, give the village watchman several chapatis and tell him to make more chapatis, and distribute those to watchmen in the nearby villages. The watchman would then travel with chapatis in his turban, often with little to no knowledge of the chapatis' original source. Quiet cool, isn’t it?

Subramania Bharati: He wrote many patriotic and nationalist songs during the independence movement.

Annie Mascarene: She was the first woman to join into the Travancore state congress. She even joined the Quit India Movement. She was also elected as the secretary for the Travancore state congress.

Sushila Chain Trehan: She was one of the leading members of the Arya Samaj and fought for women rights.

Alekh Patra: He was the member of the congress at the age of 18.

Accamma Cherian: She is popularly known as Jhansi Rani of Travancore. Quiet interesting, isn’t it? She gave up her job as a teacher to join the struggle for liberty. She had been imprisoned twice because of this. She even led many rallies and strikes too! What a very brave person of her! She was actually imprisoned more than 4 times and was awarded imprisonment for 1 year, six months and a lot more.

Aren’t these people so cool? As you may know, there are a lot more freedom fighters who have still have not been brought out into the limelight. So since this day is the day they were finally given independence, I think that at least a salute should be given to them for all that they have done for their future generations.

Jai Hind!

Sheryl Ann Prasad, VII-A, , Indian Educational School (Bhavans)