The Life and Times of Bhagat Singh

-- Ameya Hari Bhaskaran, IIK Young Conributor

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Two years ago, I went to an online workshop because I wanted a change of scenery. It was about "Netaji's 125th birth celebration." To summarize, it mainly discussed how certain freedom fighters' names were lost to the ocean of time and never mentioned in history textbooks. They made great self-denials for our nation so that the future may enjoy their lives, be freed from the unjust rule of the British, and be inspired to move the country forward to becoming a utopia for the world.

The workshop was for three days. The life and times of Netaji were the main topics discussed. On the third day, there was an on-the-spot speech competition, and I won first place. On-the-spot speech competitions are one of the things I don't favour because I take time and effort to convey a message on any topic. Extemporary speeches give around 5-10 minutes to prepare and rehearse. And the prize was a book, and I am not into reading, so that book stayed on the bookshelf for AN ENTIRE YEAR! So since summer break began, I picked up the book and sat down to read. So, dear reader and Mr. Paper, I am giving my thoughts on the book "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BHAGAT SINGH."

Mahesh Sharma, the author of this novel, wanted to portray Bhagat Singh as a philosophical and nature-loving individual. So the first anecdote from this book will be about witnessing the massacre at Jallianwala Bhag. Britain was playing its role in the First World War by passing the Rowlett act. Because of this act gave enormous power to the British government and police to arrest anyone suspected of revolutionary activities. This act caused hundreds of radicals to be behind bars. So to end it, a meeting was held at Jallianwala Bhag. Around 6000 men, women and minors were present, eagerly waiting to celebrate Baisakhi. General Dyer ordered his men to shoot at the crowd. No one had expected the sudden attack, and around a thousand died.

On that day, Bhagat Singh was moving with a heavy heart. His youngest sister Amar Kaur asked about his late arrival, but he ignored her and moved along, but Amar wouldn't leave without knowing the truth. Bhagat finally gave in. He showed Amar a bottle and asked, 'Do you know what this is.' she replied that it was an ink bottle, But Bhagat explained that inside it was soil filled with the martyrs' blood. Bhagat said that he would give hell to the British. That was when the patriotic blood flowing through him was boiling.

Now I shall be skipping further to Bhagat's adulthood. He had left his education for the revolution. He took part in the non-cooperation movement. He believed India would set an example by earning independence through peace. But after the horror caused in Chauri Chaura, Gandiji’s suspended the act. Bhagat thought discontinuing the movement was wrong and that the act of one person shouldn't cause a suspension. So, he continued the radical ways of attaining freedom. He also ran from home for the sake of the movement.

But he didn't last long and was hanged in 1931. The world comes out of problems and continues to rebuild itself. Bhagat Singh secured his legacy as one of India's greatest legends. In a world of anger and hatred, some people find the light. Bhagat Singh's story is not as well-known as much of other freedom fighters, yet he shall live in all of us. One last message before I end this essay- "They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit."

So I assume, dear reader, that this was a heart-warming tale for you.