Freedom fighter

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday announced that the state will celebrate the birth and death anniversaries of revolutionary freedom fighter Chakali Ilamma. She was one of the faces of the Telangana armed struggle movement and a symbol of Telangana, he said.

Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant GB Pant, who made a special place in the Ghagha Saheb of Uttar Pradesh and played a key role in its construction, was the first CM of the UP and the fourth Minister of the Interior of the country. Pant was not only a great politician, but also a dedicated freedom fighter. Today is the birthday of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant. He was born on September 10, 1887 in the village of Khunt in the district of Almora. He was originally from Maharashtra. His mother’s name was Govindi Bai, Pant takes its name from her name.

Govind Ballabh Pant was raised in the house of his maternal grandfather Badridatta Joshi due to his father’s government work and his transfer every year. His grandfather had a great influence on his personality and his political opinions. Govind Ballabh Pant moved from Almora to Allahabad in 1905. He obtained a law degree from Allahabad University and began practicing in Kashipur. It has been said that Pant used to only take real cases and leave the case when someone was lying. He had also fought the case of Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan and other revolutionaries involved in the Kakori affair.

His essay is a reflection of Indian philosophy. He raised his pen for national unity. Pant Ji, the enlightened class guide, disseminated the humanitarian findings from all the forums. Pant Ji, a strong supporter of national consciousness, shared the suffering of the poor and worked tirelessly to eliminate economic inequalities. Pant Ji became the first Prime Minister of the United Provinces in 1937 and the first CM of Uttar Pradesh in 1946. On January 10, 1955, he took over the leadership of the Indian Ministry of the Interior. On Republic Day in 1957, the great patriot, skilled administrator, successful orator, rational and liberal Pant Ji was awarded India’s highest title, “Bharat Ratna”.

The alleyways and narrow labyrinth-like streets of Pune hide millions of stories lost in the annals of history, and the iconic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, located in a heritage wada, is one such story that deserves to be told.

Tucked away in a quiet corner behind the mighty Shaniwar Wada is a historic wonder symbolic of India’s bitter struggle for independence. This 129-year-old wada, who breathes with silent dignity most of the year, comes alive in all colors during the Ganeshotsav festivities. He is said to be the oldest and a pioneer in establishing the Ganesh festival as a symbol of national pride and harmony, against the backdrop of the struggle for freedom.

The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust is actually the first public Sarvajanik or Ganeshotsav launched in 1892 by a freedom fighter named Bhausaheb Laxman Javale, aka Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari.

Building a national symbol of unity

Ganesh Chaturthi in its present form was introduced in 1892, when a resident of Pune named Krishnajipant Khasgiwale visited Gwalior, led by the Maratha, where he attended the traditional public celebration and brought it to the attention of his friends, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari and Balasaheb Natu back home in Pune.

Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, who was also a famous royal physician and freedom fighter, saw the potential of this festival and installed the first “sarvajanik” or public idol of Ganesha in his house or “wada” located in an area called Shalukar Bol.

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He then installed a unique idol of Ganesha which represented the deity killing a demon. Made of wood and sound, the imagery was a far cry from Lord Ganesh’s usual calm and composed demeanor, as it symbolized the victory of good over evil. The Ganesha represented India as a nation fighting for its freedom against the colonialists.

This decision by Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari quickly gained ground when freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak praised his efforts in an article in the iconic Kesari newspaper on September 26, 1893. Tilak even went ahead to install an idol of Ganesha in the Information Publishing Office in 1894 as a symbol of national pride and unity.

Thanks to Rangari and Tilak, Ganeshotsav eventually became a national festival where people from all castes and communities came together to celebrate their national identity through intellectual speeches, concerts, folk dances and music, plays. , poetry recitals, etc.

The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust continues to worship the same 129-year-old idol to this day.

A refuge like a fort

Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, besides being a doctor, was famous throughout the country for his many skills. He was involved in the knitting and dyeing of fabrics which were traditionally done by his community.

This work also earned him the nickname “Rangari”.

But his “wada” housed more than decades of colorful traditions or life-saving medicines. It was a refuge and meeting place for revolutionaries to discuss strategies against the British Indian government.

For a traditional structure, it was ahead of its time in terms of design, with unique locks and latches that ensured the secrecy and safety of the freedom fighters hiding there. The unusual lock allowed authorized people to open doors through a small hidden grove, even when locked from the inside.

Plus, it also had a central locking system that allowed three of its main doors to lock instantly using tiny pulleys attached to it, in the event of an emergency. With hidden chambers to hide weapons and a secret escape route leading to the riverbed, this wada served as a fort in disguise against Imperial forces.

Whether it was the fierce idol of Ganesha, the festival, or the “wada” that housed him and protected hundreds of revolutionaries, Bhausaheb Rangari’s immense contribution to India’s freedom struggle is perhaps -be less known, but will never be forgotten.

The location of the historic building in the old town of Pune continues to remind us of the exemplary work of these freedom fighters.

While Tilak’s vision was to popularize Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival that could bridge the divide between caste and status and instill a nationalist fervor to oppose colonial rule; it was Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari who was the first to light this fire of change.

The selected image: Bhausaheb Laxman Javale, aka Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari (L); The iconic idol of Ganesha (R)

Edited by Yoshita Rao

File image of a postage stamp on Shivram Hari Rajguru issued March 22, 2013. Wikimedia Commons

Today, August 24, marks the birthday of Shivaram Hari Rajguru, one of India’s great freedom fighters. The revolutionary, along with Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh, was hanged on March 23, 1931 by the British government.

Rajguru was born to Parvati Devi and Harinarain Rajguru on August 24, 1908 in the village of Khed, Maharashtra. Growing up, he was inspired by the ideology of Lokmanya Tilak. Rajguru joined the “Seva Dal”, participating in training camps in Ghatprabha. He later became a member of the Republican Socialist Army of Hindustan.

He quickly came into contact with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. The trio participated in the assassination of British officer John Saunders on December 17, 1928. Saunders was killed to avenge the death of freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai.

The three freedom fighters were then captured and sentenced to death. When he died, Rajguru was only 22 years old. Every year March 23 is celebrated as “Shaheed Diwas” to pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.

Rajguru’s birthplace was renamed Rajgurunagar. His ancestral home is now known as Rajguru Wada. The Hutatma Rajguru Samarak Samiti (HRSS) hoists the national flag every year at Rajguru Wada on the occasion of the Republic Day.

On Tuesday, the Union’s Culture Ministry paid tribute to the freedom fighter on his birthday, saying “the nation will always bow in gratitude for the greatest sacrifice made by the martyr”.

Remembering the revolutionary freedom fighter, Shaheed Shivaram #Rajguru the day of his birthday. The nation will always bow in gratitude for the greatest sacrifice made by the martyr during our struggle for freedom. #AmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/8hiHgUgeI0

– Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) August 24, 2021

The Congress party also paid tribute to Rajguru, praising him as “an eminent scholar in various Indian scriptures and known for his shooting skills.” The party described him as an inspiring figure who encourages young Indian minds to work for their nation even today.

Our sincere tribute to revolutionary freedom fighter Shivaram Hari Rajguru on his birthday. A prominent scholar in various Indian scriptures and known for his shooting skills, he is an inspiring figure who encourages young minds to work for the nation even today. pic.twitter.com/o1AzfP8XNG – Congress (@INCIndia) August 24, 2021

Shivaram Rajguru was a great Indian freedom fighter. He played a vital role in the independence of India. Not many people know that his full name was Hari Shivaram Rajguru. He belonged to a Brahmin Marathi family in Pune.

Rajguru was born on 24^e August 1908 in a village known as Khed, Pune. Since his childhood he had witnessed the atrocities of the British. It gave him the inner anger and the strength to fight. Therefore, his dedication and patriotism made him an Indian revolutionary.

He is best known for his involvement in the assassination of a British police officer of Raj Saunders. It was an act of revenge.

At Rajguru 113^e Birthday, let’s take a look at some lesser known facts about it.

1. Rajguru’s father died when he was only 6 years old.

2. He graduated from New English High School in Poona.

3. Rajguru joined the ‘Seva Dal‘. He had attended ‘Seva Dal’ training camps in Ghatprabha. Which was conducted by Dr NS Hardikar, who was also the founder of Seva Dal.

4. He was a member of the Republican Socialist Hindustan Association (HSRA). It was an association of people who fervently wanted India to come under British rule.

5.Rajguru quickly became an associate of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. His association with them led to participation in the assassination of the British Raj officer named John Saunders in Lahore on 17^E December 1928. It was an act of revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.

6.Rajguru and his fellow freedom fighters were found guilty of the death of the British officer.

7. The 23^DR MARCH 1931, the three great freedom fighters, Rajguru, Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev were hanged to death by the British government in Lahore. Rajguru was only 22 years old at the time of his death.

8. They were cremated in Hussanianiwala on the banks of the Sutlej river in the FIROZEPUR district of Punjab. Each year 23^rd March is celebrated as the Day of the Martyr (Shaheed Diwas) to pay homage to great freedom fighters.

9. His ancestral home known as ‘Rajguru wada’ it is maintained. The Hutatma Rajguru Samarak Samiti (HRSS) hoists the national flag in Rajguru Wada every year on Republic Day since 2004.

10.In his honor, his hometown ‘Khed’ is renamed to ‘Rajgurunagar’. Even a college bears his name, known as’Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women ‘ in the Vasundhara enclave in Delhi.

Posted on: Monday August 23, 2021 3:36 PM IST

Charles Eddy Lepp, known affectionately as Eddy, was a cannabis freedom fighter, advocate and friend who passed away on Monday at the age of 69. Mary Schumacher of Weedmaps remembers her life and her legacy.

My life would have been very different if I hadn’t known Eddy. We met at the end of 2004 at a NORML conference in Oregon. Eddy and Jack Herer, whom I had met on other occasions as cannabis heroes, were best friends and traveled together. I interviewed them for my first cannabis article, published in Highlights. Jack had suffered a stroke years ago and needed help with various tasks related to mobility and writing, and by the end of the conference I had made myself available for any needs of Jack.

Eddy, observer as he was, picked up a sharpie and one of his 40-acre cannabis farm posters and wrote down his cell phone number. He told me that if I ever wanted to come to Northern California and help Jack, I would have a place to live on his farm. After the article was published, I called my new editor and asked if I should do this sort of thing if there would be a place for articles on the California Eddy and Jack scene. The answer was yes, and the rest is my cannabis-fueled story. My writing has become almost entirely focused on the defense of cannabis, and I have never looked back.

There are countless stories like this. Stories of Eddy uplifting and empowering his friends, fellow freedom fighters and cannabis allies in intense and engaging ways. In honor of Eddy and his contributions to the cannabis community, I want to share his life story and the memories of his friends.

Charles Eddy Lepp was born in La Harpe, Illinois, but often moved with his military family until they landed in Reno, Nevada. Eddy enlisted in the military at the age of 19. He started smoking cannabis during his basic training and spent a year in Vietnam. For the next twenty years, Eddy struggled with bouts of addiction and recovery, with cannabis being his only lifeline. Finally, during his last period of convalescence, he meets Linda Senti, who will become his wife and his inspiration.

Eddy was introduced to Dennis Peron after he was arrested growing medical cannabis for Linda, who was battling cancer. Eddy became the first person to be tried and acquitted under Proposition 215. He then met Jack Herer, who became his dear friend and who led him on his journey to become a pure cannabis freedom fighter. Eddy said cannabis had kept him from killing himself for years during his addiction struggles in this article by cannabis journalist Bobby Black. Eddy had administered cannabis to his father for relief during his own lost battle with cancer years before, so Eddy was well prepared to take cannabis prohibition on his shoulders.

At first, Eddy and Linda dabbled in a few unsuccessful lucrative ventures before settling in Lake County, California, on the edge of the legendary cannabis-growing region, the Emerald Triangle. .

They began to organize cannabis clinics to allow doctors and patients to meet before gradually embarking on cultivation. Eddy and Linda continued to meet people who couldn’t afford their drugs, couldn’t find them, or couldn’t grow them on their own. Seeing the glaring gap, Eddy and Linda decided to take their large farm and start farming for friends and neighbors. Over time, the operation has grown to over 30,000 factories, all along Highway 20, and all with full knowledge of local law enforcement. And all of this before great crops like this were fully legalized or even somewhat standardized.

In 2004, Highlights named Eddy the Freedom Fighter of the Year. Eddy has been honored at countless events and festivals, including a virtual appearance at the Los Angeles Million Marijuana March in 2011 while serving time for growing cannabis. In true legendary form, he had a strain named after him which won second place at the 2013 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam.

Sadly, Eddy was arrested several times for cannabis until he was convicted and sentenced in 2009 to ten years in prison. He was released eight and a half years later, but while in prison, Jack died. Linda died of cancer in 2007. He spent the last of his years fighting for the plant, retaining the immense personality he always has been and empowering his friends and allies.

We thank you for everything, Eddy.

“Eddy was the first and most inspiring person I have ever met in the cannabis industry. He welcomed me with my team like we were family and he always showed us consideration and love! He will be missed but never forgotten! RIPower my friend.

– Tony Van Pelt, Candy Chronicle

“Eddy Lepp was to me a saint of marijuana… A compassionate, loving and caring husband, friend and person. He literally learned how to grow marijuana to help his wife who had cancer and people who were sick … This man stood up for the rights of people at close range, especially the right to grow marijuana. He will be forever immortalized through my music.

– Ponyboy, Los Marijuanos

“Eddy was a true blue cannabis revolutionary: talented, hilarious and real. Part of the first wave of a handful of brave and fearless souls who fought on the front lines of politics to make medical marijuana help patients, but also to change the world for the better. I was honored to be a part of this first group and one of Eddy’s closest friends, and I will miss him incredibly.

– Lynnette Shaw, Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana

“Being involved in Eddy Lepp’s life has been the craziest and most glorious adventure of my life. Not having it there leaves a void that no one can fill. No matter where you are in this world, if you ingest cannabis of any kind, Eddy Lepp is one of the soldiers you should thank.

– Jason Dunlap, documentary maker and photographer

Selected image courtesy of Jason Dunlap

Indian poet Subhadra Kumari Chauhan: “Khoob ladi mardaani voh toh Jhansi wali Rani thi.” These words from the evocative poem, “Jhansi ki Rani”, are almost synonymous with Rani Laxmibai, as the poem is considered one of the most recited poems in Hindi literature. The author of this poem is Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, and today is her 117th birthday, on August 16.

Born in 1904 in Nihalpur near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was also a freedom fighter. Today’s Google Doodle honors him for his contribution and accomplishments. The doodle has Chauhan, dressed in a sari, sitting with a pen and paper. In the background, we can see Rani Lakshmibai, but also that of the movement for freedom.

The doodle was illustrated by New Zealand-based guest artist Prabha Mallya.

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan loved to write poems since childhood. She reportedly wrote her first poem at the age of 9 on a neem tree. Five of his published works include two collections of poetry – Mukul and Tridhara – and three narrative collections. His three collections of stories are Moti, Unmadini and Seedhe-Saade Chitra. She made groundbreaking statements in the struggle for freedom through her works – she has a total of 88 published poems and 46 short stories.

‘Jhansi ki Rani’ however remained the most famous work, with the poem making it popular among the masses.

First woman of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan not only put her emotions and dreams on paper, but also lived those in her real life. She participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement and is said to be the first Indian woman to do so. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan played an active role in the struggle for freedom in India, which led to her imprisonment on several occasions. She also inspires others to join the fight for freedom through her works.

Chauhan’s works, both in poetry and prose, focused primarily on difficulties, such as gender and caste discrimination, encountered and overcome by Indian women.

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan died on February 15, 1948, at the age of 44.

Regarding death, the poet once said: “I have no idea of ​​leaving the earth even after my death. I want to have a tomb, around which there will be a fair, children playing, women singing and a lot of commotion. “

Md Obaidul Alam Akon, a freedom fighter who was wrongly sacked from the Agricultural Extension Department (DAE) in 1982, was finally acquitted on Monday after waging a long legal battle for his rights.

A six-member appeals division virtual bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain dismissed a state plea seeking review of its order which upheld a High Court order, declaring the court’s sentence member of the military at the time outside legal jurisdiction and ordering the DAE to pay Akon his fees.

“The authorities concerned will now have to pay Akon his due salary and other benefits related to his previous post from 1982, the year he lost his job, until the date of his retirement,” the lawyer said. Akon, Prabir Niyogi.

The valiant freedom fighter, 68, was elated after the Supreme Court’s order and said he didn’t expect this legal battle to end in his lifetime.

Akon was sacked by a military court in 1982 on the allegation that he received an additional 2.50 Tk for selling five packets of jute seeds from a farmer.

“They filed a false complaint against me and the military court after a brief hearing, fined me 1,000 Tk and jailed me for two months.

“Later, the DAE also fired me for the crime I never committed,” Akon said.

Md Obaidul Alam Akon, in 2012, filed a summons with the High Court which in 2017 declared the military court sentence illegal and out of jurisdiction and ordered the DAE to pay Akon his dues.

Following the High Court’s order, DAE appealed to the Supreme Court and Appeals Division on March 8, 2020, which also upheld the High Court’s order.

The DAE then filed the appeal for review, which was dismissed on Monday.

ANI |
Update: June 13, 2021 11:25 AM STI

New Delhi [India]June 13 (ANI): The Odisha district administration in Koraput on Sunday informed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that appropriate measures had been taken to guarantee basic human rights to the people of the birthplace of freedom fighter Laxman Naik, Tentuligumma, in Koraput.
Naik was killed by the British during the freedom fight.
The collector responded in detail about development work in the area, after the NHRC warned the chief secretary of enforcement action.
District officials filed the report before the NHRC came in response to an Action Taken Report (ATR) on a petition filed by Radhakanta Tripathy, human rights activist and Supreme Court attorney.
Located at a distance of 120 km from Koraput and 70 km from the town of Malkangiri, the village is nearly 40 km from the headquarters of Boipariguda. The nearest health center that people depend on is 25 kilometers away in Mathili, Tripathy said.
“The state of the village that the ambulance never reaches in an emergency. Pregnant women are forced to suffer or give birth without medical assistance. Children are deprived of education while the elderly live in poverty. The condition of people with disabilities is unbearable, ”Tripathie stressed.
Although he was a freedom fighter, his place of origin, Tentuligumma, lacks basic amenities such as all-weather roads, clean water, health care and education, a- he declared.

State authorities have filed a report indicating that action is underway for the development of the area.
In response to the Commission’s instruction, Tripathy in his reply recounted the prolonged ordeal of the local villagers and called on the NHRC to order the state to guarantee a road for the inhabitants of Tentuligumma and a bridge over the Kolab river. with a safe and secure atmosphere for the inhabitants.
Tripathy also claimed that there was no road between Dandabadi and Tentuligumma. Tripathy, who drew the attention of the Commission for Bridges over the Sileru and Saberi Rivers in the neighboring region, said the government was busy making promises not to keep it.
In accordance with the direction of the Commission, the DM and the collector, Koraput, Odisha, submitted a report on March 18, 2021, accompanied by the contribution of the Executive Engineer (R & B) division.
He said the length from Dandabadi to Tentuligumma is ten kilometers. The 7 km stretch of road from Dandabadi to Dumripadar has been taken over by the Works Department.
The bridge over the Sabari River 6.3 km from Dandabadi has been taken over by the Department of Rural Development and works are now underway. A bridge raised approximately 276 meters and approached from Highway 500 over the Sabari River at the 5th kilometer on the Podapadar-Tentuligumma PMGSY road under Biju Setu Yojana is under construction by the Rural Works Division, Koraput.
The remaining unconnected road under the reserve forest and Ghat area is not included in said bridge approach which is being carried out by the Koraput Rural Works Division, the NHRC informed.
Government inaction, apathy and failure continued in the KBK region (Kalahandi undivided, Bolangir and Koraput), as until today, even after seventy-three years of independence from the India, said Tripathy. (ANI)