To acknowledge this unrivalled contribution of Sardar Patel to our country’s unification, India commemorates his birth anniversary as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day on 31st October.
As the nation gears up to pay tribute to this legendary statesman, here are a few lesser-known facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
1. His original date of birth is not October 31
If October 31 is not Sardar Patel’s date of birth, then why do we celebrate his birthday on this day? The truth is there is no official record of Sardar Patel’s original date of birth. When he was taking his matriculation exam, he was asked his date of birth and he randomly said 31st October 1875 and since then it has been considered his birth date.
2. Credited with unifying India:
Just like Otto von Bismarck united Germany in 1860’s, Sardar Patel unified India. This is what earned him the title – ‘Bismarck of India’. Along with V.P. Menon, Patel successfully finished the herculean task of uniting 565 semi-independent princely states with the Indian Union especially Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir who initially refused to join.
3. Never dreamt of being a politician:
Sardar Patel always wanted to be a barrister. In 1913, when he returned to India from England, he gained popularity as a criminal lawyer and earned great wealth and fame. It was a chance meeting in 1917 with Mahatma Gandhi that caused an internal shift in Patel. He left his job and joined the Indian Independence struggle, becoming one of India’s tallest statesmen.
4. Established the Indian Administrative Services:
Sardar Patel didn’t just play an instrumental role in India’s Independence but also in creating the IAS - Indian Administrative Services. It’s for this reason that he is remembered as the ‘Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants’.
5. Could have been Independent India’s first Prime Minister:
As per the historical records, during the 1946 Congress election, 13 out of 16 states selected Patel as their president. However, honouring Gandhi’s request Patel stepped down in favour of Jawahar Lal Nehru, which then opened the path for the latter to become the first Prime Minister.
On his 147th birth anniversary, go ahead and watch the 1993 Indian Biopic ‘Sardar’ directed by Ketan Mehta in which Paresh Rawal essays the titular role, to know more about this dynamic Indian statesman.
Ashfaqulla Khan was a freedom fighter in the Indian independence movement who had sacrificed his life to free India from the clutches of British rulers. He is remembered as a very strong and dynamic freedom fighter who had actively contributed to the Indian freedom movement. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, OTV paid tribute to the braveheart.
Early life of Ashfaqulla Khan
Born on 22nd October 1900 in Uttar Pradesh’s historical city Shahjahanpur, he was highly inspired by Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil. Though not an ardent advocate of violence he wanted to instill fear in the minds of British rulers.
His elder brother Riyasat Ullah Khan was the classmate of great revoluntionary Ram Prasad Bismil. When Bismil was declared absconder after the Manipuri conspiracy, Riyasat used to tell Ashfaqulla about Bismil’s bravery and his skill of writing Urdu poetry. This motivated Ashfaqulla to meet Bismil. In the year 1920, when Ram Prasad Bismil came to Shahjahanpur, Ashfaqulla tried to meet him but failed.
His contribution in freedom movement
When Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non-cooperation movement following the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, many young bloods were left dejected. And Ashfaq was one of them.
He felt that India should become free as soon as possible and so he decided to join the revolutionaries. He then realised the fact that it would be difficult to make India free from British Raj through non-violence. Therefore, he joined noted revolutionary Bismil and started making bombs, revolvers and other weapons to instill fear in the hearts of the British people living in India.
Asfaqullah khan and Ramprasad Bismil together formed Hindustan Republican Association. Ashfaqullah was a great Urdu poet who used to write under the pen name of ‘Hasrat’ and ‘Warsi’.
The Kakori Robbery
Later when the British rulers paid no heed to their pleas of independence, the revolutionaries decided to make them hear through their actions. Subsequently, they organised a meeting August 8, 1925 in Shahjahanpur and chalked out a master plan. They decided to loot the government treasury carried in the 8 Down Saharanpur-Lucknow passenger train.
In this premeditated robbery carried out to raise fund for different activities of the HSRA, Bismil, Khan and over 10 other revolutionaries stopped the train and decamped with the cash they found in it.
In September 1926, Bismil was arrested but Ashfaq was the only one who was able to evade the police for over a year. It was said that he hid in a sugarcane field half a mile from his home for sometime before he was finally arrested in Delhi.
The trial for the case went on for about one and a half years. It ended in April 1927- Bismil, Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh sentenced to death while the others given life sentences. On December 19, 1927, Ashfaqulla was hanged for his part in a conspiracy against the British Raj.
However, before being hanged, he kissed the hanging rope and recited the ‘Shahada’ in Urdu. Both Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan were hanged on the same day but in different jails. With it, he became a martyr and a legend among his people due to his love for the motherland, his clear thinking, unshakeable courage, firmness and loyalty.
Life Portrait
The character of Ashfaqulla Khan and his associates were depicted in Aamir Khan Starrer Bollywood movie ‘Rang De Basanti’ where the character of Ashfaqulla Khan was played by Kunal Kapoor. The feature film Rang De Basanti, revolves around the lives of five friends who play revolutionary characters Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan in a documentary film. Bismil’s character was essayed by Atul Kulkarni.
Late recognition
After a long wait, Gorakhpur finally got its own Zoological Garden named after freedom fighter Ashfaqullah Khan in 2021.
Meanwhile, noted personalities including Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda took to twitter to pay homage to the freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for country’s freedom.
महान क्रांतिकारी अशफाक उल्ला खां जी की देशभक्ति से ओतप्रोत कविताओं ने युवाओं में क्रांति की अलख जगाई।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 22, 2022
विदेशी हुकूमत की अनेक यातनाएं भी उनके स्वतंत्रता के संकल्प को ना डिगा सकीं ना उन्हें झुका सकीं।
ऐसे महान देशभक्त की जयंती पर उन्हें नमन। pic.twitter.com/XIbVD0jWVq
"The patriotic poems of the great revolutionary Ashfaq Ullah Khan ji instilled the spirit of revolution among the youth... Salute to such a great patriot on his birth anniversary," tweeted the Home Minister.
The BJP VP wrote, “His unshakable courage, grit, firmness and love for Maa Bharti are incredibly inspiring. My humble tribute to great revolutionary Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan on his jayanti.”
His unshakable courage, grit, firmness and love for Maa Bharti are incredibly inspiring.
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) October 22, 2022
My humble tribute to great revolutionary Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan on his jayanti.🙏 pic.twitter.com/gPsRgM9xh7
Taking to tweeter UP CM Yogi Adityanath wrote, "Humble tribute to the great hero of 'Kakori Train Action', the revolutionary of freedom, the immortal son of Mother Bharati, Ashfaq Ulla Khan on his birth anniversary. Your dedication for the freedom of the country is a great inspiration for all of us."
'काकोरी ट्रेन एक्शन' के महानायक, स्वतंत्रता के क्रांतिदूत, माँ भारती के अमर सपूत अशफाक उल्ला खां की जयंती पर उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 22, 2022
देश की आजादी के लिए आपका समर्पण हम सभी के लिए महान प्रेरणा है।
In a letter addressed to Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Patnaik stated, "There is a public demand for naming the Jharsuguda Airport in the name of renowned freedom fighter of Odisha Veer Surendra Sai, who hails from the same locality. Naming the Airport in his name will be a fitting tribute to the legendary son of the soil."
Patnaik further requested that his proposal should be considered seriously and the airport should be named as 'Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda.'
Earlier in April, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi had placed a similar demand before the Centre. Padhi while forwarding copy of a letter of Bargarh MP Prabhas Kumar Singh to Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra, had urged the airport to be named after western Odisha’s veteran freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.
"Homage to great revolutionary & freedom fighter Saheed Jayee Rajguru on death anniversary. The fearless patriot who gave his life to the motherland lives in the hearts of all countrymen," tweeted Patnaik from his official twitter handle.
ସ୍ବାଧୀନତା ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନର ପ୍ରଥମ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସହିଦ ଜୟୀ ରାଜଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ଶ୍ରାଦ୍ଧ ବାର୍ଷିକରେ ଭକ୍ତିପୂତ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି।
Homage to great revolutionary & freedom fighter Saheed Jayee Rajguru on death anniversary. The fearless patriot who gave his life to the motherland lives in the hearts of all countrymen. pic.twitter.com/PB8iY5S441— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) December 6, 2017
However, Rout refused to agree with the Chief Minister saying one cannot prove history as false.
"A book has been published on what the historians have written and been approved by the government in 1948 after Harekrushna Mahatab became the Chief Minister of Odisha. None can claim the history as false," said Rout.
Also Read: Delay in Odisha govt approvals led to tardy progress of 2nd Brahmani bridge: Gadkari
Earlier on November 29, Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb had also disapproved Rout’s claim that Jayee Rajguru was not a freedom fighter. He said that Paika Bidroha was launched under the leadership of Jayee Rajguru in 1804. It was taken forward by Buxi Jagabandhu and spread further. Therefore, the initial flag bearer of the Paika Bidroha is Jayee Rajguru and it started in 1804, not in 1817.
The Gajapati's statement had came as a reiteration after Rout, on November 24, had stated that the first war of Independence against the British Raj took place in 1817 instead of 1804 and Buxi Jagabandhu, not Jayee Rajguru, was the initial flag bearer of the rebellion. Jayee Rajguru fought with Britishers as the latter went back on their promise to give him two Parganas.
https://youtu.be/uQX5wOf5XhY
While addressing the Khurda Lok Mahotsav last evening, Rout said Paika Bidroha, the first war of independence against the British Raj, took place in 1817 instead of 1804 and Buxi Jagabandhu, not Jayee Rajguru, was the initial flag bearer of the battle.
The BJD leader said Rajguru fought with Britishers as the latter went back on their promise to give him two Parganas.
“The Britishers had promised Rajguru to give him two Parganas. But since they did not keep their word after possessing the province of Odisha, Rajguru fought with Britishers in 1804. But the British had suppressed him. The battle fought by Buxi Jagabandhu in 1817 was the actual fight against the Britishers,” the Minister said.
Rout further stated that during his tenure as Culture Minister, he had formed a committee headed by eminent historian BC Roy to write the history of the freedom struggle of Odisha. The committee had mentioned that Jayee Rajguru fought with the Britishers as they went back on their promise to give him two paraganas, he added.
Recently, Puri Gajapati Maharaj had stated that the Paika Bidroha against the British Raj was launched under the leadership of Jayee Rajguru in 1804 instead of 1817 and Buxi Jagabandhu had later taken it forward.
Babula Panda, who had gone missing from Bhubaneswar on April 16, was undergoing treatment in the trauma care ICU of the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack since April 27.
He was discharged from the hospital yesterday and handed over to Koraput police and the Commissionerate police by the hospital authorities. The Koraput police escorted him to his home.
“I am completely cured now. After all the medical checkups including eye, kidney and liver, I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. There is no politics,” said Babula.
It may be mentioned here that Babula along with his parents had come to Bhubaneswar to attend a ceremony at Raj Bhawan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated his family on April 16.
During their return, the trio got separated from each other. While his mother Sujata Panda was rescued from Balasore railway station, Babula went missing.
Babula’s family have now heaved a sigh of relief after his return.
“I am happy and relaxed now as I got back my son after a long time. The family got united again,” said Sujata.
Later on Police commissioner YB Khurania informed that police got a call yesterday afternoon and Babula was rescued in critical condition from Mancheswar area in Bhubaneswar. He was then admitted to the hospital, said Khurania adding that probe will be conducted to establish under what circumstances he went missing.
Till last reports came in Babula had been shifted to Cuttack SCB hospital, after his health condition deteriorated.
Babula, who is a resident of Jeypore, came to Bhubaneswar to be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, he went missing on his way back on April 16. After the matter came to light, CM had ordered the DG to trace him.
His mysterious disappearance also stoked a political row with the BJP alleging involvement of minister Pranab Prakash Das and BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda.
BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit alleged that Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das and BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda are behind the missing of Babula. "The ruling BJD hatched a conspiracy in hiding Babula. It is a pre-planned abduction in which two senior leaders of BJD Pranab Prakash Das and Rabi Narayan Nanda are actively involved in this. We demand verification of their call records", Purohit alleged at a press meet. Now, there is threat to Babula's life, he added.
Meanwhile, two leaders of the regional party immediately reacted to the saffron party legislator. "The BJP forgot about the safety of the kin of freedom fighter after felicitating them. Now, it has raised fingers towards others in a bid to cover up its own mistake. BJP is habituated in making such baseless statements", BJD leader Rabi Nanda said, adding "I am open to face any sort of investigation".
Similarly, reacting to the BJP leader's allegations, Energy minister said "It is nothing less than a joke. BJP has lost its conscience" , Das told OTV over phone.
Meanwhile, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a tweet, stated that he has spoken to the DGP over the Babula missing case. He has asked the top cop to expedite the search operation to trace Babula soon, he added in another message.
Two days ago, the family members of Babula had staged a protest in front of the residence of Jeypore Sub-Collector demanding expeditious search operation to trace Babula.
The CM had also instructed the DG to trace the freedom's fighter's grandson soon.
Notably, Babula had accompanied his family members to Raj Bhavan for felicitation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It may be mentioned that Babula’s mother Sujata Panda was also stranded without money after boarding a wrong train to Balasore instead of Jeypore. However, she was rescued by a youth identified as Debapriya Samal, who handed her to the Railway Police Force (RPF) and later the district administration sent her back to Jeypore following intervention by the CM.
The family members staged a dharna in front of the residence of Jeypore Sub-Collector demanding immediate measures on part of district administration and police to trace him.
Notably, Babula had accompanied his family members to Raj Bhavan for felicitation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It may be mentioned that Babula's mother Sujata Panda was also stranded without money after boarding a wrong train to Balasore instead of Jeypore. However, she was rescued by a youth identified as Debapriya Samal, who handed her to the Railway Police Force (RPF) and later the district administration sent her back to Jeypore following intervention by the CM.
The CM has also ordered the DG to trace Babula. Search operation of the Jeypore police is underway, said sources.
Talking to media persons Jeypore Sub-Collector said, "As he had gone missing from Bhubaneswar, a case has been filed there with RPF. It is being monitored specifically from office of the Commissioner and Chief Minister and he will be traced as soon as possible."
Three of the four family members of Indira Panda, including the grandson Babula, went to the Bhubaneswar Railway station after the felicitation ceremony to board the Hirakhand Express. However, they accidentally were separated at the station and boarded different trains.
While Sujata was rescued by the Balasore GRP and sent to Jeypore following direction from of the CM, the whereabouts of Babula is yet to be known.
Meanwhile, search operation of the Jeypore police is on to trace Babula.
Notably, the CM had ordered the DGP to trace Babula.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said the Cabinet decided to name all Lift Irrigation (LI) projects after eminent female freedom fighter Parbati Giri, nicknamed as Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.
He said the upcoming LI projects in the state would come up at a cost of Rs 7600 crore of which the cabinet approved 13 projects. Of the 13 projects 8 LI projects would come up in eight block in Mayurbhanj district and one project for one block in Keonjhar district.
Besides, the Cabinet also approved mega sanitation project for Rourkela city, Padhi said.
He also said the Cabinet decided to extend Value Added Tax (VAT) relaxation on dal till March 31 next year.
Notably, the State Cabinet had approved a proposal to reduce VAT on pulses from 5 percent to 1 percent on June 28 this year.
"Tributes to the great Veer Savarkar on his Punya Tithi. He ignited the spark of nationalism in several lives," Modi tweeted.
He also shared an image of himself paying tributes to the Hindu ideologue.
Savarkar was born May 28, 1883 and died Feb 26, 1966.
Gandhi, in a tweet, termed Birsa Munda as warrior of Tribal identity and self-pride.
"I pray the leader of Ulgulan Birsa Munda with full respect on the day of his sacrifice," the Congress chief said.
Gandhi also said that tribal culture was the base of Indian civilization.
"Today, the genuine tribute to Birsa Munda would be by standing with tribal brothers and sisters who are facing repression and displacement."
Birsa Munda was an Indian tribal freedom fighter, religious leader and folk hero, who belonged to the Munda tribe.
The Doodle, created by Finland-based Indian artist Parvati Pillai, depicts Chattopadhyay surrounded by many of the cultural objects and practices she fought to elevate and protect.
It includes the various fields she promoted including instruments such as the sitar and the sarangi, Karthak dance, Chhau dance, embroidery, basket weaving and Kathaputli.
Chattopadhyay's contributions to India were numerous. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1987 and was widely-known for persuading Mahatma Gandhi to call upon women to march with him in the Indian Independence Movement in the early 20th century.
She is also credited with re-invigorating the culture of Indian handicrafts, handlooms and theatre and for using cooperative grassroots movements to pave the way for a higher socio-economic standard for Indian women around the country.
Born in Mangalore in 1903, she married Harindranath Chattopadhyay when she was 20 and then moved to London where she graduated with a diploma in Sociology.
She joined the Indian freedom movement when she returned to India.
Chattopadhyay became the first woman to contest a legislative seat in India when she ran for the Madras Provincial Legislative Assembly.
She had a career of several "firsts" -- from setting up some of the first national institutions to archive, protect, and promote Indian dance, drama, art, puppetry, music and handicrafts to becoming one of the few women of her time to propose that women's rights, religious freedoms, environmental justice, political independence and civil rights are all interrelated movements.
"Happy 115th birthday, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay!," Google said in its tribute.
Modi said Lajpat Rai was a courageous leader who dedicated himself towards India's freedom.
"Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai left an indelible mark on India's history. We remember him as a righteous and courageous leader who dedicated himself towards India's freedom. Tributes to him on his birth anniversary," Modi tweeted.
Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865 in Dhudike, in Punjab's Moga district. He died of a heart attack on November 17, 1928.
"The birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has not yet been declared a national holiday. Cannot we show this much respect to him?
"The state had announced public holiday on January 23 years ago," Mamata said after offering floral tributes to Bose at Indira Gandhi Sarani here on his 121st birth anniversary.
"The people of this country want to know what happened to Netaji. There is a version which only a section believes."
Banerjee also vehemently criticised the Central government for abolishing the Planning Commission. "The Planning Commission was Netaji's dream. But the BJP has abolished it after it came to power (in 2014)".
She also tweeted: "Netaji is a national hero, an epitome of patriotism, selfless service, courage, dignity and dedication. Today is the day for all of us, including our young generation, to take a pledge again to work tirelessly for the good of our country and the people. Jai Hind."
Last week, the Chief Minister had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the birth anniversaries of Netaji and Swami Vivekananda as national holidays.
At a separate programme celebrating Bose's birthday, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said it would be in the fitness of things if the Centre okays the state's demand for a national holiday.
"The state has approached the Centre on the issue. It would be a good decision if the Centre gives the green signal," Tripathi told reporters on the sidelines of the programme at Netaji Bhavan.
A 41-member delegation of 'Rakta Tirtha Yatris' headed by Prabal Mukherjee and secretary of 'Sahid Smarak Samiti' Sujit Bhowmik from Kolkata, besides Odisha Assembly government chief whip Ananta Das and officials of Balasore district participated in a day-long programme here to commemorate the occasion.
Born in December of 1879 in Kushtia in modern day Bangladesh, Jatindranath Mukherjee was among the founder members of patriotic group Anushilan Samity in 1900.
He earned the sobriquet of Bagha for killing a tiger in his youth.
'Bagha Jatin', fell to bullets after he along with four co-patriots - Chittapriyo Roy Choudhury, Manoranjan Sengupta, Nirendra Dasgupta and Jyotish Pal - had an encounter with British Police at Chasakhand of this district on September 9.
Chittaprioyo died on the spot during the fierce gun battle, while 'Bagha Jatin' succumbed to bullet injuries the next day on September 10 at the then Balasore hospital, which is presently the Barabati Girls High School.
Nirendra and Manoranjan were put to the gallows in Balasore jail and Jyotish was imprisoned for life after trial.
Chatterji (94) is survived by his widow and two sons.
The nonagenarian Chatterji was among a few who had flatly turned down the pension doles for freedom fighters.
People from different walks of life paid their last respect and deeply condoled Chatterji?s death.
Chatterji had plunged into 1942 Quit India movement in Kendrapara and was sent to Patna central jail where he spent two years.
Sahu, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Nabarangpur, hoisted the tricolour flag and took the salute following which he paid tributes to several freedom fighters for their role in the struggle for independence. However, he went on to mention the name of local freedom fighter Mohammad Baji in his tribute speech, without knowledge of the fact that he is still alive.
Baji's grandson criticised the minister and the district administration for wrongly mentioning Baji in his tribute speech. Seeking immediate apology from the minister, Baji's grandson Shiraj Amhed questioned the district administration's move to invite Sahu to attend the function.
"I don't know why the government sends such ministers who don't even have any local knowledge. Not only me but also the people of the entire region are disappointed and I blame the district administration, the minister and the State-government for this incident," said Ahmed.
Similarly Kadambini Tripathy, granddaughter-in-law of former chief minister of Odisha Sadashiv Tripathy also criticised the organisers for such a blatant mistake.
"It is a matter of happiness that the minister came to join us during the flag hoisting ceremony but it is unfortunate that he paid homage to a living freedom fighter. The district administration should have had knowledge about Baji, and even the minister should have been cautious. We condemn the incident because it is a disgrace to every one of us," Kadambini Tripathy said.
The Lahore police last week submitted in a Pakistan trial court the first information report (FIR) registered in the murder of British police official John Saunders (also known as the Lahore conspiracy case) claiming that the case was registered against "unidentified" persons.
The court handed over a copy of the FIR to Lahore-based advocate and petitioner Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi. Qureshi, who is the chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, had filed a petition in the court seeking an attested copy of the FIR registered in the case.
Qureshi has also moved the Lahore High Court seeking reopening of the Saunders' murder case to prove that Bhagat Singh was "innocent".
He said it was on the court's order that the Lahore police searched through the records of the Anarkali Police Station and managed to find the FIR in the Saunders' murder case.
"Written in Urdu, the FIR was registered at 4.30 p.m. on December 17, 1928, against two unknown gunmen. The names of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru are nowhere in the FIR," said Qureshi.
According to Qureshi, an official of the Anarkali Police Station was the complainant. In the FIR, the complainant-cum-eyewitness said the man he followed was "5 ft 5 inch, had a Hindu face, a small moustache, a slim and strong body, and was wearing a white trouser (pyjama), grey shirt (kurta) and a small black Christi-like hat".
Qureshi said special judges of the Tribunal handling Bhagat Singh's case awarded him the death sentence without hearing the 450 witnesses in the case. "The martyr's lawyers were not even given the opportunity to cross-question them. Therefore, I want to establish Bhagat Singh's innocence in the Saunders case," he added.
According to media reports in Pakistan, Qureshi is hopeful that if the court in Pakistan sets aside the verdict against Bhagat Singh, the British government could be pressured to tender an apology for the "sham trial".
Qureshi's Foundation earlier filed a petition in the Lahore High Court to rename Lahore's Shadman Chowk -- the spot which was once a part of Lahore Jail where the trio were hanged by the British -- as 'Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk'. The court in September last year directed the Lahore district administration to decide on the renaming of the roundabout.
The campaign was launched at a function marking celebration of August Kranti Diwas here Friday. Noted freedom fighter and Padma Sri Bhabani Charan Patnaik was the first person to sign the campaign supporting the Chief Minister's suggestions.
Apart from Bhabani Charan Patnaik, Odisha Congress president Niranjan Patnaik, many Odisha MPs, Minister, MLAs and others participated in the signature campaign which will continue till October 2.
"We have decided to collect signature of at least one lakh people by October 2," said Birupakshya Tripathy, the convener of the campaign.
The issue relating to Chief Minister's suggestion was also raised in the Assembly recently where members cutting across party lines supported it.
Patnaik had made such suggestion while attending the first meeting of National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, chaired by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan on May 2, 2018.
Patnaik had suggested that the word "ahimsa" (non- violence) be added in the Preamble of the Indian constitution as the "greatest tribute" to Mahatma Gandhi, as the nation plans to celebrate his 150th birth anniversary.
"I believe the greatest tribute India could pay Gandhiji on his 150th anniversary is to include the 'uniquely' Indian ideal of ahimsa, of non-violence, in the Preamble of India's constitution," Patnaik had said.
This will ensure that future generations, not just Indians but people around the world, will be reminded of the profound truth of this principle, Patnaik had said.
The temple, located in Subhas Bhawan on Azad Hind Marg, was inaugurated on the occasion of the leader's 123rd birth anniversary.
The temple, sources said, will have a Dalit woman as the chief priest and the morning and evening 'aarti' will be held with a prayer to Bharat Mata.
Indresh Kumar said that the temple was a befitting tribute to Bose who played a key role in the freedom movement.
The temple is located in the front yard of the Subhas Bhawan and has a life-size black granite statue of Subhash Chandra Bose. The stairs around the temple are painted in red and white.
"The red colour symbolizes revolution while white is for peace and black is for strength," said Dr Rajiv of Banaras Hindu University, who is responsible for the temple being constructed.
He said that the purpose of the temple was to inculcate a feeling of patriotism among people and keep the memory of Netaji alive.
The significance of the Subhas temple in Varanasi lies in the fact that the holy city has a large Bengali population. The maximum number of widows, who come to Varanasi to spend the last days of their lives, are from West Bengal.
The holy city is often referred to as mini-Bengal.
(IANS)
He was suffering from old-age related complications and was undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital in city, his family sources said. Patnaik is survived by two sons and three daughters.
The Odisha government announced that the veteran freedom fighter will be cremated with full state honours at Nimapada in Puri district today.
Patnaik was born on May 11, 1922 at Andhia in Nimapada. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha for three terms in 1961, 1966 and 1978. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2018.
Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, National BJP Vice President Jay Panda, Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik and several other leaders expressed their condolence over the death of Patnaik.
Chief Minister Naveen described Patnaik as a great patriot who had dedicated his entire life for the cause of the common man.
"A strong believer in Gandhian principles, he was a close associate of Biju Patnaik. A man of indomitable spirit, Bhavani Babu was very active till his death. In his death, the nation has lost a true Gandhian and Karmayogi," said the Chief Minister. He conveyed his deep sympathies for the bereaved family members.
ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ସାଂସଦ ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ଭବାନୀ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଜଣେ ମହାନ ଗାନ୍ଧିବାଦୀ ଭାବେ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ରହିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି।
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 14, 2020
Describing Patnaik as great son of India, Governor Ganeshi Lal said his life and works will continue to inspire generations.
Hon'ble Governor condoled the sad demise of Padmashree Bhabani Charan Pattanaik,eminent freedom fighter and great son of India and conveyed his heart felt sympathy to his bereaved family members and followers.His life & works will continue to inspire generations, he added. ?
— Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) May 14, 2020
Condoling death of the freedom fighter, Jay Panda tweeted, "I remember him fondly from my childhood; he was acquainted with my parents & frequented our home."
Very saddened to learn of the demise of Gandhian, veteran freedom fighter, former Member of Parliament, Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik
I remember him fondly from my childhood, he was acquainted w/my parents & frequented our home.
Condolences to the bereaved family
Om Shanti? pic.twitter.com/lFhD0pfXVX— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) May 14, 2020
ତିନି ତିନି ଥର ରାଜ୍ୟସଭା ସାଂସଦ ଥିବା ଭବାନୀ ବାବୁ ଶେଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଜନସେବାରେ ନିୟୋଜିତ ଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ୟୁରେ ଓଡିଶାରୁ ଦେଶର ମୁକ୍ତି ସଂଗ୍ରାମର ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କର ଅସ୍ତ ଘଟିଲା । ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗକୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରୁଛି ।
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 14, 2020
My deepest condolences on the demise of freedom fighter, veteran Congress leader & Gandhian, Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik. He guided many leaders of Odisha on the path of Gandhian philosophy. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti ? pic.twitter.com/FoV7mTrN1e
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) May 14, 2020
On the occasion of his 98th birthday, Patnaik had expressed desire to donate his body to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said. However, sources at the SCB Medical College and Hospital said that it may not be possible to receive the body due to the prevailing situation.
(With Agency inputs)
Loknath Nayak had tested positive for Coronavirus on September 29 and was admitted to SUM COVID Hospital on the same day with fever, weakness and breathing problems, a hospital statement said.
He was discharged from the hospital, the largest COVID-19 facility in Odisha, on Wednesday, it said.
Nayak had joined the freedom movement at a very young age and had later served the state government as an officer till his retirement in the mid-eighties.
While he was diagnosed with COVID-19, Nayak also had underlying comorbidities including chronic kidney disease and diabetes, the critical care team treating him said.
Nayak, who was under antiviral treatment, was in the ICU for a few days till he recovered fully.
The treatment I received was beyond my expectation.
The doctors and nurses treated me with much care and compassion. I am grateful to them, the freedom fighter said. We are grateful to the hospital, his son Manoranjan said.
(PTI)
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Yadav died on Saturday morning at his residence in Sector 15, where he was staying with his two sons Colonel O.P. Yadav, Ashok Yadav and daughters Sushila and Omwati.
The freedom fighter was given a final farewell with full State honours by the office-bearers of the Freedom Military Successor Committee and the District Administrative Officers.
Successor committee Gurugram unit president Kapoor Singh Dalal and General Secretary Subedar Bijendra Singh Thakaran said that during World War II, Jagram had suffered bomb and bullet injuries but went on to walk to Burma (now Myanmar) inspired by Subhas Bose and the Indian National Army.
Several district administration officers, police and other were present during the last rites of the freedom fighter.
(With IANS Inputs)