The buried idols of freedom

The value of life only becomes most pronounced in the face of death. In the same way, the value of freedom can only be appreciated after knowing the fear of slavery.

It has been 76 years since Indiabecame a free nation. Many of her illustrious children laid their lives in their struggle to unshackle Maa Bharati. The only thing these brave souls feared was the idea of seeing their mother in shackles forever. They melted the British chains with their blood, sweat, and even their last breath.

Let me tell you about some such freedom fighters whose names got buried in the sands of time.

Matangini Hazara: -Age was never a barrier for a heart filled with patriotism. And a shining example of this statement is Matangini Hazara. She was not born with riches or blessed with happiness in her personal life. However, her sole aim was the happiness, well-being, and freedom of her countrymen. Apart from being a very active freedom fighter, she was also an exemplary social worker who helped those affected when the smallpox epidemic broke out. While leading a procession during the Quit India Movement, she was shot by the police thrice consequently wounding her forehead and both hands. She marched ahead till Maa Bharati held her in her lap while still holding the Tricolour high.

V O Chidambaram Pillai: - Known by his admirers as KappalotiyaTamizhan, V O Chidambaram Pillai started the first Indian shipping company breaking the monopoly of the British. He opposed the unjust British policies tooth and nail both when he was rich and when he faced poverty earning the wrath of the cruel colonizers. While serving his sentence in prison, he was yoked like a bull to press the oil. However, even after such torture, they failed to break the spirit of this brave bull among men.This gem of a man was born with all the worldly riches but died in poverty yet leaving behind a rich legacy of patriotism.

Rani Gaidinliu:-Born asGaidinliu Pamei, this Naga spiritual and political leader led a strong revolt against the Britishers. Considered to be an incarnation of a goddess in the Heraka faith, she commenced the movement to drive out the Britishers from Manipur and the surrounding Naga areas.  She was arrested at the age of 16 in 1933 and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Britishers. She was released after 14 years when the interim government of India was formed and continued to work for the upliftment of her people. She was later awarded Padma Bhushan for her contribution to the freedom movement.

Bagha Jatin: - Inhis pursuit of bringing freedom to the nation, this great follower of Swami Vivekananda made a brave statement – “We shall die to awaken the nation.” Born as Jatindranath Mukherjee, he came to be known as Bagha Jatin after he fought a tiger to free his villagers from its fear. He further reinforced the significance of the title conferred upon him when he played an important and extremely bold role in India’s freedom struggle. He died in the Battle of Balasore in 1915 after taking down many British soldiers, thus immortalizing the statement that he made.

Rani Velu Nachiyar: - Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first Indian queen to wage war against the East India Company. Known famously as Veeramangai, Velu Nachiyar was the queen of Sivaganga Estate. Her direct conflict with the British started after her Husband, the king of Sivaganga was killed in a battle with the East India Company in 1780. She planned for eight years, gathered the support of many warriors, and fought the British successfully to win back her kingdom. She ruled the kingdom for more than 10 years and was succeeded by her daughter Vellacci. Thus, the Veeramangai emerged as an epitome of bravery, intelligence, and persistence, emerging as an example for future generations

Senapati Bapat: - Born as Pandurang Mahadev Bapat, this great freedom fighter was known for creating a unique combination of the opposing ideologies of non-violence and revolution.This brave man who had a promising engineering career ahead sacrificed it for the sake of serving his motherland.Bapat, who was earlier a revolutionary, was influenced by the idea of non-violence on his return to India and earned the title of Senapati for leading the Mulshi Satyagraha. However, he still believed in resorting to force when the need arose. He was blessed to witness the freedom of his motherland and died at the ripe old age of 87 in 1967.

The above leaders toiled, lived, and died for their motherland without any desire for recognition. Some saw the freedom of their motherland while alive while others witnessed it from heaven. However, it is our duty to unearth the stories of such leaders and bring them to the countrymen so that we respect and value their sacrifice and add divine lustre to their dream of a prosperous and happy India.