Sirsa teacher brings to life stories of local freedom fighters
Anil Kakkar
Sirsa, August 14
Pankaj Pasrija, a teacher at Government Model Sanskriti Primary School in Rania, has embarked on a mission to document the lives of Sirsa district’’s freedom fighters.
His dedication aims to bring recognition to the many unsung heroes whose contribution to the country’’s Independence struggle has been overlooked and forgotten over time.
Pasrija’s research extends beyond Sirsa, covering the neighbouring areas of Fatehabad and Rajasthan. His efforts have already led to the publication of 32 stories about freedom fighters on the Azadi Ka Amrit portal, shedding light on their heroic deeds and sacrifices.
Among those highlighted by Pasrija is Tara Chand, born on September 29, 1921, in Arniawali village. As a farmer’’s son, he joined the Indian National Army (INA) in June 1942 after being inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose’s call for independence. His commitment marked him as a dedicated patriot.
Another notable figure is Babu Singh, born on October 12, 1922, in Jalalana village. Singh joined the Azad Hind Fauj’s Azad Brigade after listening to Bose’s impassioned speeches. His activism led to his arrest by the British authorities in Germany, and after being imprisoned in Bahadurgarh, he was released in 1946, after which he returned to India. He passed away on May 19, 2010.
Jeet Singh, originally from Khut Kalan, also made significant contributions. After enlisting in the British Army and being captured by Japanese forces, he joined the INA on October 2, 1942. Singh, who fought bravely on the Imphal front and passed away in October 1993, will be remembered for his resilience.
Harphool Singh, born on August 15, 1922, in Sirsa, joined the INA on February 15, 1942. His journey was marked by severe hardships; he was captured by the British and tortured in Japanese jails, with his family initially believing he had died. Singh’s profound sacrifice is remembered as a testament to his dedication. He passed away in 1996.
Kanhiya Ram, born on October 15, 1915, was a follower of Gandhi’s principles and actively participated in the Kissan Morcha and Quit India Movement. Ram’’s activism led to his imprisonment by the British authorities. Sardar Rawel Singh Randhawa, born in 1917 in Multan (now Pakistan), joined the Congress Party in 1942 and travelled extensively to inspire others. He passed away on March 30, 2010.
Other freedom fighters documented by Pasrija include Ramswroop, Kirpal Singh, Bhagwat Swarup Sharma, Patram Verma, Sohan Singh, Hukam Chand Chhabra, Amichand Poonia, and Badri Parsad Gosianwala. Each of these individuals made significant contributions to the Independence movement and their legacies continue to inspire.
Remembering unsung heroes
Pankaj Pasrija aims to bring recognition to many unsung heroes whose contribution to the country’s Independence struggle has been overlooked and forgotten over time. His research extends beyond Sirsa, covering neighbouring areas of Fatehabad and Rajasthan. His efforts have already led to publication of 32 stories about freedom fighters on the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit’ portal, shedding light on their heroic deeds and sacrifices
