The sacrifices including life of Unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle were remembered in the Webinar on AzadikaAmritMahotsav- 75 years of Indian Independence  organised by Field Outreach Bureau under Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Wednesday.

Dr.T.Sivakumar, Deputy Director, Field Outreach Bureau Puducherry in his presidential address said government is giving importance on bringing out the lives and contribution of  the unsung heroes and heroines of freedom struggle as part of celebrations of 75 years of Independence. He said that the history of freedom struggle should be divided into four parts including famous persons, places of freedom struggle, events and unsung heroes. He cited the example of Ponmalai workshop workers protesting against the British management and how Malabar Police of the British shot dead many striking workers. He stressed the importance of documentation in history and many events were not noted in history records leaving them unnoticed. He pointed out the fight of unsung heroes of freedom struggle  likePerumal Pillai of Madurai and Ramasamy of Coimbatore  who were shot dead by British during protest .  He pointed out how KP JanakiAmmal sold her jewels to organise awareness drama on freedom struggle and other unsung heroines like Mayakkal. He spoke about youngster Usha Mehta who got inspired by Gandhiji’s call of Do or Die and used radio as a medium to spread messages of freedom struggle through Congress Radioduring Quit India Movement,  1942.

Shri K Devi Padmanabhan, Field Publicity Officer, Tiruchirapalli in his introductory address said that India shines as the most successful and largest democracy in the world. The whole nation is celebrating AzadikaAMritMahotsav as part of 75 years of Indian Independence. The strength of our democratic ideals were demonstrated globally in several occasions.  Our democratic tenets were based on our constitution. He pointed out that this is the time to remember our freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives to provide safe and secure country for us to lead free lives. Today is a significant day in our history as Japanese fighter plane carrying Netaji Chandra Bose supposedly went missing on August 18 in 1945. Freedom fighters never died as they live as inspiration in young minds.  As per history first war of Independence was started in 1857 and we all know about how Rani Jhansi fought against the British. But VeeramangaiVeluNachiyar, Queen of Sivaganga was perhaps first Indian queen who fought against British in 1780. Kuyili, a woman commander of Rani VeluNachiyar, was supposed to be the first suicide attacker against British as she jumped into British armoury setting herself ablaze.  KodikaathaKumaran  held national flag aloft even when he was beaten to death by British Police in Tirupur. VeerapandiyaKattabomman, DheeranChinnamalai, Oomathurai, Maruthu brothers were also fought against British rule. Vedaranyam salt satyagraha march led by Rajagopalachari from Tiruchirapalli on April 13, 1930 was a part of nationwide protest aginst salt tax imposed by British.

Dr V Anand Gideon, Dean Extension Activities, Bishop Heber College, Trichy in his special address said Independence was not a celebration for a single day as so many people have fought for many years to get us freedom. He stressed that freedom fighters should be remembered especially by younger generation so that their sacrifices would be honoured.

Dr R Ravi, extension officer and NSS Programme Officer, Bishop Heber College Tiruchirapalli in his felicitation address said that youngsters should be inspired by freedom fighters. He urged students to recollect the hardships suffered by freedom fighters for India’s Independence.

Shri K Subramanian, retired Trichy district Youth Coordinator Nehru Yuva Kendra Trichy in his special address said that our freedom fighters fought for more than 300 years against the British to get Independence. He remembered Maruthu brothers who fought for freedom against the British. He spoke about Vedaranyam salt satyagraha march which started from Tiruchirapalli led by Rajaji and culminated in Vedaranyam. He spoke in detail about how villagers in defiance of British collector’s order gave food to salt march protesters secretly by tying food packets to trees. He pointed out that unsung heroes like James, Narayanasamy Naidu, NagamalaiThevar from Trichy who joined INA of NetajiSubash Chandra Bose.

Shri M.Theresnathan retired Deputy Director PIB urged students to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters who fought hard for India’s Independence.

Shri K Ravindran Field Publicity Assistant FOB Tiruchirapalli moderated and coordinated the webinar. All participants of the webinar were given e-certificates from Regional Outreach Bureau Chennai.

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