Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to two icons of India’s independence movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad, on their birth anniversary, saying people should resolve to strive hard to realise their dreams for the country.
While Tilak was born in 1856, Azad was born in 1906.
“Tributes to the two brave sons of Mother India, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad on their birth anniversary,” the prime minster tweeted.
In a series of tweets, the vice president said, “Today, let us pay our tributes to these bravehearts and resolve to strive hard to realise their dreams for this great country.”
There should be a greater focus in school books on the tales of sacrifice, patriotism and valour of iconic national leaders and freedom fighters to inspire the younger generation, Mr. Naidu said.
He added that instead of merely covering commemorative occasions, the media must regularly highlight their stories.
“Though Chandrashekhar Azad left his earthly abode too soon, at the age of 25 years, he was one of the most inspirational youth leaders of the freedom movement. He was also a mentor, philosopher and guide to a number of young freedom fighters, most notably Bhagat Singh,” Mr. Naidu said.
Referring to Tilak, the vice president said he endeavoured to awaken the political consciousness of people through two weekly newspapers that he owned and edited, “Kesari”, published in Marathi and “The Mahratta”, published in English.
“He vehemently criticised the British rule through these publications,” he noted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he bows to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his birth anniversary.
“He was a true patriot who envisioned the idea of Independent India. Lokmanya Tilak was a towering personality, blessed with immense wisdom. His contribution to India’s freedom movement will always be remembered,” he said.
Describing Azad as an “immortal revolutionary”, Singh said he remembers and salutes the revolutionary leader.
Azad’s name inspires Indians to die for the country, he said. “Salutations to Chandrashekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country,” the defence minister added.
Maharashtra leaders pay tribute
Leaders cutting across party lines, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his deputy Ajit Pawar, paid tributes.
Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 at Chikhali village in Ratnagiri district. He died in August 1920 in Mumbai.
“Tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who had bugled ‘swarajya (self-rule) is my birth right and I shall have it’,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) tweeted.
Mr. Thackeray praised Tilak for taking on the British regime with his intelligence and intense journalism, and noted that the freedom fighter was jailed for it many a times.
“We can see the dream of a prosperous and strong nation because of his sacrifice and dedication. Tributes to his thoughts and memories,” the chief minister wrote.
Taking to Twitter, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “Tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who had roared ‘swarajya is my birth right and I shall have it’ Let’s resolve to convert the ‘swarajya’ he talked about into ’surajya’ (good rule), as we pay respects to him.”
State PWD Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan hailed Tilak for firmly raising the demand for self-rule through his speeches and writings.
Water Resources Minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil also tweeted saying, “Humble tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who was described as the ‘Father of Indian Unrest’, was a great freedom fighter, litterateur, journalist.”
State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil also paid tributes to Tilak, describing him as a “great social reformer, philosopher and writer.”
Mr. Patil said Tilak was the first leader who demanded “complete freedom” from the British rule.
Maharashtra ministers Balasaheb Thorat, Anil Deshmukh, Nawab Malik and Hasan Mushrif and NCP MP Supriya Sule were among the other leaders who paid homage to Tilak.
