This post is dedicated to my hero, hero of the majority of young Indians of our generation, the only person whom I admire a lot in this world. I am talking about a 23 years old guy, who did not top the university exam; neither, he was the CEO of a MNC at such a young age. Rather what he did and achieved was beyond these materialistic success. He died in 23 March 1931, fighting for the freedom of his motherland, his only love “India”. But with time, name of this man lost somewhere in the pages of history. Still some of you may have guessed his name right. My hero is no one other than Bhagat Singh, an Indian freedom fighter, who dare to sacrifice his life at an age of 23 for our motherland.
- Bhagat Singh was born in 28th September 1907 in a village called Lyllapur district of Punjab; which is now known as Faisalabad of Pakistan.
- At the age of 13, Bhagat Singh began to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s non co-operational movement & burnt his school books & British imported clothing. But in1922, Gandhi’s withdrawal of the movement Bhagat singh lost his faith on Gandhi’s idol-ism of non-violence. He realized that armed revolution is the only way to get freedom practically.
- Then he went to National College in Lahore to pursue his studies, which was founded by Lala Lajpat Rai. During this period he came in to contact with revolutionaries such as Bhagwati Charan, Sukhdev and few others.
- In 1928 the British Government created a commission under Sir John Simon to report on Indian political situation, which led to protest all over the country; as not a single Indian was not in that committee. In October 30th 1928 while Lala Lajpat Rai and his followers were protecting peacefully, police brutally Lathi charged responding to order given by superintendent of police, James A. Scott.
- After 3 weeks of this Incident, Lala Rajpat Rai died. Bhagat Singh was determined to take revenge of Lajpat Rai’s death by killing James Scott, who was assumed as the reason behind Lala Rajpat Rai’s death. At about 4:15 p.m. on December 17, 1928 John P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police was mistaken as Scott and shot by Rajguru and Bhagat Singh. To escape from death punishment Bhagat Singh went from Lahore to Howrah.
- Meanwhile to combat revolutionary like Bhagat Singh, the British government enacted the Defense of India Act to give more power to the police Which was defeated in council by one vote. The Act was then passed under the ordinance which claimed that it was in the best interest of the public.
- In response to this act, the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association planned to explode a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly where the ordinance was going to be passed. It was decided that Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, another revolutionary, would throw the bomb in the assembly.
- On 8 April 1929, Singh and Dutt threw two bombs onto the assembly and shouted “Inquilab Zindabad!” (“Long Live the Revolution!”). They had no intention to kill anybody, they only wanted to be a loud noise to be produced, which would echo all over India. All happened according to their plan, not a single person in the assembly was injured or dead. This was followed by a shower of leaflets stating that it takes a loud noise to make the deaf hear and also it was written that “It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived“. Singh and Dutt gave themselves up for arrest after the bomb. After the trail, He and Dutt were sentenced to ‘Transportation for Life’ for the bombing on June 12, 1929.
- While in prison, Bhagat Singh and two others had written a letter to theVice-roy asking him to treat them as prisoners of war and hence to execute them by firing squad and not by hanging. Prannath Mehta, Bhagat Singh’s friend, visited him in the jail on March 20, four days before his execution, with a draft letter for clemency, but he declined to sign it.
- On 23 March 1931 at 7.30PM Bhagat Singh was hanged in Lahore Jail with Rajguru and Sukhdev.
Some people may argue that the path which Bhagat Singh Choose to give India its freedom may not be the correct one. Now as people say every argument has 3 sides- your side, my side & the right side. For me it’s not important what is your side and what is right side; for me he was a person who has the guts & desire to fight for his country’s freedom at such a young age. He has shown us, what patriotism is all about.
I am nearly equals to his age. Still the thoughts like patriotism, fight for your motherlands freedom,to set example in front of others at the cost of your own life never come to my mind. Yes I may say that all the patriotism in me comes out when India plays a game of cricket or hockey against other countries. At his age, people like me and others only care about our own family, friends. But when Bhagat Singh was pressurized by his family, which wanted him to get married, Bhagat Singh left his house in Lahore and went to Kanpur. In a note left behind for his father, Bhagat Singh said: “My life has been dedicated to the noblest cause, that of the freedom of the country. Therefore, there is no rest or worldly desire that can lure me now….”. How could a person be so unselfish from such a young age, How could a person had not fear of death in him? How could a person had so much belief on his strength, ability and intentions at the age of 23 and dare to fight against the brutal British force. May be that’s why he is a hero. Why he did not dream about a good job, a beautiful wife just like us. May be the circumstances or condition of India at that time made him like that only. We can only analyze & respect that person for those qualities in him from such a young age….
India got its independence on August 15th, 1947. Although he dies much before the sun rose in India, the Independent India. But one thing for sure he still lives in all our hearts and he inspires all of us, in what ever small thing we do for our country comparison to what he did for the same land.
“Happy Independence Day to all Indians, both living in India and abroad”.
……………………………….
These are few of those quotes & notes from Bhagat Singh’s Jail notebook-
Man and Mankind
“I am a man and all that affects mankind concerns me”
– (Page 43 of Jail notebook)
Aim of life
“The aim of life is no more to control mind, but to develop it harmoniously, not to achieve salvation here after, but to make the best use of it here below, and not to realize truth, beauty and good only in contemplation, but also in-the actual experience of daily life; social progress depends not upon the ennoblement of the few but on the enrichment democracy or universal brotherhood can be achieved only when there is an equality of opportunity of opportunity in the social, political and individual life.” (Page 124 of Jail notebook)
“Lovers, Lunatics and poets are made of same stuff.”
― Bhagat Singh
Images taken from- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh
Being Arindam.. 
pennycoho
August 15, 2012
Arindam,there are always a few…so very few…that live and die for the rest of us. Would that there were more. But they are, for many more of us an inspiration that does not die with their death but lives on. Bhagat Singh did not die in vain. He lives on in people like yourself. Excellent excellent post, historical commentary filled with poignant read. Thank you so much, Penny
Arindam
August 15, 2012
Thanks a lot Penny. It’s my pleasure to share my Real hero with you all. You are right when you said that, people like him do not die, they live on. He was a man of courage, determination and strong belief.
pennycoho
August 15, 2012
Yes he was Arindam, one of the great ones and an inspiration that lives on! 🙂
littlesundog
August 15, 2012
What a phenominal man Bhagat Singh was… and what a wonderfully written tribute you make to him. Arindam, I love your thoughts and ponderings of this man’s journey, what led him to do what he did and for the reasons he might have done them. Through your words, we take a deeper look at an ordinary, young man and we wonder what made him exceptional. Thank you for sharing his historical journey with us.
Arindam
August 15, 2012
Thanks a lot for these kind words. Yes he is inspiration for everyone. He dared to sacrifice even his life, for his motherland, that to be at such a young age. Some people across the world criticize, the path he chose to give us independence. To be honest I do not agree with them. How can someone just wait patiently when he see some people are doing injustices with him. It can be never be wrong to fight for a right cause and that is the path which he chose. I am glad you liked my tribute to my hero.
justanotherwakeupcall
August 15, 2012
a fitting tribute to a great freedom fighter on this special day
Arindam
August 15, 2012
Thanks a lot Sapna. Happy Independence Day.
hemadamani
August 15, 2012
great post for a great hero! Happy Independence day!!
Arindam
August 15, 2012
Thanks a lot. Happy Independence Day to you too!
Maxi
August 15, 2012
Your loyalty to India is an inspiration, Arindam. May your fellow Indians, and those who live in other countries, be influenced by your light.
Blessings – Maxi
Arindam
August 15, 2012
I think every citizen feels and thinks the same for his own country. I just expressed mine. 🙂
Thanks a lot Maxi!
2e0mca
August 16, 2012
Sadly, my heroes tend to have been not brave defenders of freedom but people who have advanced our understanding of the universe. One, whom I have had the pleasure to meet is Jocelyn Bell Burnell – who as a young lady discovered Pulsars. Watson and Crick who discovered the make-up of human DNA. The list is very long… Perhaps it’s something I should write about 😉
I hope you have had a Happy Independence Day Arindam – unfortunately I was off duty today so didn’t get the chance to wish my Indian colleagues the same but I will catch up with them tomorrow 🙂
Arindam
August 16, 2012
Thanks a lot Martin. I hope you can wish Indian Colleagues today. 🙂 By the way yesterday was a national holiday, so they must be off duty yesterday.
You must be proud that, your heroes are not brave defenders of freedom. It just shows your freedom was never at risk. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your heroes with me. They might not be the people whom I consider as hero; but for sure their achievement are also incomparable and they will inspire people of generations to follow across the globe.
2e0mca
August 16, 2012
I don’t know about Never at Risk… Adolf might have succeeded in 1940 if he hadn’t been incompetent and the RAF hadn’t successfully survived. Don’t forget we’re a mongrel nation – last invaded in 1066 but lots of previous incursions before that. Independence? We’ve never had it 😉
Arindam
August 18, 2012
What, you never had Independence! 🙂
Madhu
August 16, 2012
To you too Arindam 🙂
Arindam
August 16, 2012
🙂
Aspergers Girls
August 16, 2012
Powerful. Change comes in all forms. Thank you for sharing.
Arindam
August 16, 2012
Thanks a lot Sam. 🙂
shanthisethuraman
August 16, 2012
Thank you for the wishes to our country “INDEPENDENCE DAY”.Since our country has more
democracy than other countries. Democracy means by the people, for the people, of the people.
It is very difficult to sacrifice the life like Baghat Singh, you said that he had died before Independence, I will say that his sacrifice and other achievments had been made by him still exits
in the people heart,so many people in India may be role model of Baghat Singh, why not you?
pattisj
August 16, 2012
Thanks for the history lesson of your country, and a brave young man. There must be a special calling on the lives of those who know their destiny at an early age.
Arindam
August 16, 2012
It was my pleasure to share my hero’s story with you all. He is a true inspiration for all the young people of my country. Thanks a lot for reading this part of history of our country.
Elyse
August 16, 2012
Happy Independence Day to you, Arindam, and all my other Indian friends! What a fascinating story — thanks for sharing it.
Arindam
August 16, 2012
Thanks a lot Elyse. I am waiting for your thought on my last post. So that, I can put few words from you in my first book. You people are important to me, who encourage me to keep writing. So my book can never be complete without few words from you all. 🙂
Elyse
August 16, 2012
I had to bookmark that to look at it later when I am not rushed! (Timing is tough, we’re getting our son back to college in the next couple of days — but it is a priority!)
Sunshine
August 18, 2012
A great man indeed who felt his calling in life was greater than most and did not try to run from it but rather, embraced it fully. This young man reminds me of Joan of Arc who also at a very young age, abandoned her family wishes and instead, followed a higher calling. Tragically, she to was killed while fulfilling her calling. Thank you so much, Arindam for this mini history about your country’s independence. 🙂
Arindam
August 22, 2012
Thank you for taking your time to read my hero’s story. I always wonder, what did make him so strong and brave, that he was ready to fight alone against the whole British force. I have not read about Joan of Arc, but I will make sure to read his story soon. It sounds like there is something inspiring in store for me. Thanks for the recommending it to me. 🙂
Sunshine
August 25, 2012
You may like the movie on Joan of Arc, not the older version but the remake…it makes you weep to watch it. She was a very brave and strong young lady for her cause, much like your young man. 🙂
Arindam
September 2, 2012
Thanks a lot for recommending this movie, Sunshine. I will make sure that, I am going to watch it soon. 🙂
Sunshine
September 2, 2012
🙂
earthriderjudyberman
August 19, 2012
Arindan, the most powerful part of your post about Bhagat Singh was about the bomb that was not intended to harm anyone. “This was followed by a shower of leaflets stating that it takes a loud noise to make the deaf hear and also it was written that ‘It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived.'”
We disagree about how to achieve change. I prefer the non-violent approach of Mahatma Gandhi. But only time will tell which course of action was/is the most effective and which type achieves the quickest long-term results.
I do understand your admiration for Bhagat Singh.
Arindam
August 22, 2012
Yes Judy, his intention was never to kill any innocent person, neither he ever did so intentionally. As per my knowledge, Even after the bomb he threw, he let them arrest him rather than running away from the place. Actually that was his plan; he want to go through the judicial process in the presence of media; so that his message would easily reach to all youth of this country.
Yes as a individual we have the rights to chose the approach. But honestly, I would not have prefer the non violent approach, before India’s independence . Because you can’t just wait and watch like a coward, when someone is ill treating your mother; just for the sake of not creating non violence. So when someone is ruling us illegally, and applying violent reaction to our non violent protests.
I do believe, ” if violence is the question, then non violence can never be the answer.” Do you know why my country is not shining after 65 years of Independence; it’s simply because many people think they can hide their fears in name of the non violence approach. And by doing so they are making few ill minded people more powerful. No one is ready to fight against a person, who is violent with him. I believe the approach depends upon the situation and circumstances.
earthriderjudyberman
August 23, 2012
You make some excellent points, Arindam. I also could not sit idly by while someone was treating my mother or other family member badly.
In some ways, I am surprised that more was not accomplished in the years following The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968.
Peaceful way? Violent way? One size does not fit all. It has to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Arindam
September 2, 2012
Yes, the path completely depends on circumstances and situations. We need to realize the distinction between Non violence and cowardice.
An Idealist Thinker
August 19, 2012
You ask deep questions in the last paragraph. How..? It amazes me too.
By the way, I didn’t know Bhagat Singh was 23!! Clearly, my history is not good.
Arindam
August 19, 2012
I will never believe that your history is not good, might be this part you have missed. You know everything. And I do remember you used to score perfect hundred even in Sanskrit. 🙂
Thanks a lot for taking the time to visit my blog, after a long long time. It’s always a pleasure to see you here and to read what you have to say on my posts. I sincerely hope & wish, you to be more active in blogosphere.
mj monaghan
August 22, 2012
What a fascinating life that young man led. It’s always amazing the courage people have to step into battle.
Hope your Independence Day was a good one. Are there special ways that you celebrate it?
Arindam
August 22, 2012
Thanks a lot MJ. Yes we had a good day, as it was national holiday.
Yes we celebrate this day by these stuffs.
Major government buildings in our country are illuminated with lights and the tricolor flutters proudly from homes and other buildings. Media promotes a spirit of patriotism with special contests and programmes being telecast by radio stations and television channels. Patriotic Movies are screened on television while news papers cover some inspiring stories of people who are inspiration for all Indians. The President delivers the ‘Address to the Nation’ on the eve of Independence Day. This is followed by the unfurling of the tricolour from the Red Fort in Delhi on the next day. Then the army, navy, air force and students from different schools and colleges performs parade and various cultural activities. I hope you can check the videos in Youtube.
mj monaghan
August 23, 2012
Wow, that sounds fantastic, Arindam. Definitely will check it out.
Arindam
August 23, 2012
I am very much sure you are going to like it, Mj.
cimplicityrockss
August 29, 2012
to be frank ……many of my friends in college did not care to know the contribution of Bhagat singh, Chandrashekar azad, Savarkar …because for them freedom fighters are those few names which they read in history text books …….sad….and saddest is …atleast when someone speaks about facts and contribution of leaders like Bhagat singh……..people dont show interest in atleast listening…..long back bhagat singh fought for us ….today let us atleast recall his contribution……
Arindam
September 2, 2012
Absolutely true! We hardly remember those people, who dared to sacrifice their life just to give us a better future. The saddest thing is that, Bhagat Singh is not even getting enough space in the history book, he deserves.
I am really sorry for the late reply to this comment of yours! 🙂