A saga of courage & determination It was a century ago in 1913 that a handful of patriotic Indian-Americans on the West Coast launched the Ghadar movement and established its headquarters in San Francisco The Ghadar Movement is the saga of courage, valour and determination of overseas Indians who came to Canada and the US either for higher education or for economic opportunities The word Ghadar means mutiny. It aimed at bringing about a revolution in India to secure liberation from British control. They published their own paper known as the ‘Ghadar’ Ghadarites founded an institution called Yugantar Ashram that aimed to instill patriotic feelings among young Indians and train them for a uprising in India

Washington, July 29
Hailing the contribution of leaders of the Ghadar movement in India's freedom struggle, Indian-Americans from across the US have called for remembering their sacrifices annually on Memorial Day.

"The Indian-American community, at least on Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), should remember the sacrifices of Ghadarites," said California-based Inder Singh, chairman of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).

Singh, the co-author of 'The Ghadar Heroics', said the Indian-American community leaders should organise tribute events to perpetuate the memory of the brave Indian-Americans who laid down their lives in pursuit of freedom for India.

"It will be somewhat like organising India Independence day. It will be a great community service to educate our community of our Indian American history, of our Indian American heritage, of passing on the legacy of the pioneers to the next generation," he said in his remarks at an event held in the Greater Washington Area last night.

Singh has been leading effort in the US towards the centennial celebrations of Ghadar movement.

In her address, Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao said the Ghadar movement heralded the independence movement of the country.

She listed out the steps being taken by the Indian Government, including release of a stamp by the Prime Minister early this year, to recognise the significant contribution of the movement in India's freedom struggle.

"It is the spirit of sacrifice, the spirit of courage that was exemplified by these young people, who were inspired by the call of freedom," Rao said.

The Ghadar Memorial Hall in San Francisco would be converted into a functional library and museum by the Indian Government, she said.

Surinder Pal Singh, 76, the grandson of Bhagwan Singh, one of the eminent Ghadarites, who flew in from Atlanta for the occasion, said there is need to recognise the contribution of the Ghadar movement and its leaders in the freedom struggle.

"Just releasing a stamp is not enough. It has been kept away from history books," he said, adding that it is time that Ghadar movement be made part of the history text books.

It was a century ago that in 1913, a handful of patriotic Indian-Americans on the West Coast launched the Ghadar movement and they established its headquarters in San Francisco.

Inder Singh said the current generation of Indian-Americans knows very little about the history of Indians in America and no effort has been made in this regard so far.

"Every year, Americans pay tribute to their martyrs. The last Monday of May is observed annually as Memorial Day, a day of national awareness and reverence, to honor those who have given their all in service to their country," he said. — PTI