Posted On:
15 AUG 2021 10:00PM by PIB Chennai
Regional Outreach Bureau along (ROB) with Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Chennai organized a Webinar on ‘Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle’ celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of Independence.
Hailing the unsung heroes of the freedom movement, key speaker, Dr. Marilyn Gracey Augustine, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Madras Christian College spoke on leaders like Subramaniya Siva, T.M. Kalaiannan, Yakun Hasan Sait and Lakshmi Sahgal. An ardent advocate of Pure Tamil movement Shri. Subramaniya Siva started a Thani Tamizh Literary movement and popularized it through his monthly newspaper, Gnanabanu. He closely worked with VOC and Bharathi. Following ideals of Tilak, Siva enthused the youth to oppose the British vehemently. Being the first political prisoner in Madras Jail, Siva was affected by severe leprosy due to unhygienic working conditions in Jail tannery. Fearing the spread , Siva was forced to walk to Salem jail on barefoot which further deteriorated his health. Speaking about Shri. T.M. Kalaiaannan, Dr Marilyn said he was a Gandhian from Indian National Congress which he joined at the age of 19. Participating in Quit India Movement, he was the youngest member to join constituent assembly in 1949 and went to become a member thrice. He started nearly 1000 schools in the Greater Salem Region and was highly active in charitable works. Describing about Yakub Hasan Sait who was born in Nagpur and moved to Madras in 1901, She added that he was also one of the founders of Muslim League. The businessman joined Indian National Congress in1916 and he was arrested multiple times. Resigning from INC in 1923, he founded Madras Province Muslim League. He later joined Congress again and was in the ministry of Veteran congress leader Rajaji. He was also part of non-cooperation movement and Khilafat movement. Talking about Ms. Lakshmi Sahgal who was popularly known as Captain Lakshmi She added that Lakshmi was a doctor by profession .Inspired by Nataji Subash Chandra Bose in the year 1940, She travelled to Singapore and joined INA and become a Captain . Along with Bose, she founded the Rani of Jhansi regiment. She was arrested after INA's retreat from Burma and she was later sent to India after INA trials. Dedicating her life to social causes in post Independence Era, she organized relief camps for Bangladeshi refugees in 1971 and led a medical team to Bhopal after the disastrous Gas tragedy
Dr.C. Jeyaveeradevan, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Periyar University, Salem spoke on how some local heroes of polygar Era are still a house hold name in Southern Tamil Nadu. Dr Veera also spoke about Ondiveeran, a freedom fighter who hailed from Seval Paalayam. He participated in the fight against East India Company along with Pulithevan. After Pulithevan died, he took care of his children and fought for the freedom movement along with Kattapomman and Umaithurai. He lost his life in the battle along with Umathurai . The assistant professor also explained how Kuyili, a valiant commander and trusted aide of Rani Velu Naachiyar from Sivagangai. He explained how she fought against British alongside Velu Naachiyar and offered herself as the first human bomb of Freedom movement by self- immolating herself to destroy ammunition depot of the British. Another notable warrior was Karuppu Servai who was a trust worthy leader of Theeran Chinnamalai. He was trained along with Tipu Sultan. He was arrested in 1805 along with Theeran Chinnamalai and later hung to death. Speaking about Pollan Maathari, from Nalamanga Paalayam, Erode district, Dr. Jeyaveeradevan said, he participated in all battles along with Theeran Chinnamalai and proved to be an excellent spy for protecting Theeran Chinnamalai. He was arrested in 1805 and shot to death at Jayaramapuram.
Shri J Kamaraj, Director, Regional Outreach Bureau, Chennai who delivered the Presidential address, said ROB and 9 Field Outreach Bureaus have been conducting different programmes both online and offline during this pandemic on several topics. He added that the webinar on ‘Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle’ is organized as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- 75th Independence day anniversary. In an effort to popularise and honour the unsung heroes the union government has identified over 140 personalities from freedom movement and initially over 75 special Outreach programmes are organized in remembrance of them during last week of August across the nation.
Ms. Vidhya A.R, Field Exhibition Officer, Regional Outreach Bureau, Chennai delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks. Students, professors and officials from Ministry of I &B participated in the webinar. E- certificate were issued to all the participants.
Key speaker, Dr. Marilyn Gracey Augustine, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Madras Christian College addressing a webinar on ‘Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle’ celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Organised by Regional Outreach Bureau along (ROB) with Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Chennai
Special guest, Dr. C. Jeyaveeradevan, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Periyar University, Salem addressing a webinar on 'Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle’ celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Organised by Regional Outreach Bureau along (ROB) with Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Chennai
Shri J Kamaraj, Director, Regional Outreach Bureau, Chennai delivering the Presidential address.