Today, the entire country will be celebrating Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. It’s been more than six decades now that we are living in a liberated country, but is the youth of today aware of the nation’s history and the sacrifices of our freedom fighters?
Historian Prajal Sakhardande says, “Truth is an important ideal which Gandhiji cherished throughout his life. Every youth should follow the ideal of truth. Gandhi has lost in favour today with modern youth as they find his ideas redundant. Bhagat Singh has found favour with the modern youth and fairly so as his supreme martyrdom, courage and bravery find its cherished favour with our youth. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Karnail Singh Benipal, Chandrashekhar Azad are today loved by the youth. 99 per cent of my students love Bhagat Singh as their hero. We should also remember the other apostle of peace, Lal Bahadur Shastri too on October 2. Gandhiji ideals of cleanliness, self reliance and non violence are equally great ideals.”
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Goan actor Kevin D’Mello says,“Gandhiji is the inspiration for us Indians. He was a true follower of non-violence and simple living. The path shown by him is the only path to a civilised and modern society. However, the freedom fighters I am most inspired by are Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and their fellow companions because as youth, they sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our nation. They truly are role models for all the youth of India and the world.”
Talking more about the Gandhian principles, another youth, Kapil Korgaonkar, President of the NGO Goans for Education, says, “Gandhi has proved to people that there is more than one way to approach problems. He approached problems non-violently and he was successful. The main reason why we are inspired by Gandhiji is his philosophy of non-violence, which led to India’s independence. He goes on to add, “Karnail Singh always inspires and motivates me. Karnail Singh was a youth of just 21, from Punjab. He took part in a satyaghra started as ‘Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti’. When this peaceful protesting satyagrahis reached Goa-Patradevi border, the Portuguese army didn’t allow them to enter Goa. During this, Karnail Singh bravely took the bullets aimed at Sahodaradevi Rai Sagar and other satyagrahis, in his chest. At 21, he sacrificed his life for Goa. I salute his selflessness and courage.”
Women too have stood out in their courage and patriotism. Nusha Bandodkar, a student from Goa University, says, “The women who have always inspired my are Rani Chanamma, Rani Laxmibai and Sahodaradevi Rai Sagar.”
Automobile engineer Tejas Pandit, who follows Bhagat Singh and his companions, states, “These words of mine are dedicated to my hero, the only person whom I admire in this world. I am talking about a 23-year-old guy who did not top in the university exam, neither was he the MD of any company at such a young age. But what he did was much beyond these things. He died on March 23, 1931, fighting for the freedom of his motherland, his only love was to free India from British rule. His name is in everybody’s heart and every youth feels proud to take this freedom fighter’s name along with Shaheed Raj Guru and Sukhdev. My hero is none other than Bhagat Singh. He is my role model.”
