Behind the epic tricolor flag now hoisting all across India from Himalayas to Kanyakumari bears a great history. To make it fly high, millions of people considered their lives as not worth more than a single penny. Independence wasn't a over night event. To make it live against uncountable anti-social elements for so long also came with a price of several non-cinematic heroes. Out of those huge mass numbers, five of them deserves a huge mention. From the cover picture, it is obvious that only four faces were shown. It can be easily misinterpreted as a typo in heading or mistake in the edit of the cover pic. Let me clear that it's not the case. The fifth hero is the most important part here who is going to play an important role. But before revealing who he is let's first dive deeper about these first four underrated heroes of our pride nation.
600 CHINESE MEN VS 20 INDIAN MEN:
On October 23, 1962, three waves each of 200 Chinese troops intruded Arunachal Pradesh borders which was guarded by unprepared 20 Indian men, headed by the son of braveness, Subedar Joginder Singh. The ammunition was hardly rifles and knives and adding to the existing worsening situation, communication was intercepted by Chinese. First two waves was successfully defended at the price of 10 soldiers' lives. The rifles ran out of bullets and the remaining soldiers were been already exhausted out of severe injuries. When headquarters asked remaining soldiers to retreat since there were no means of communication to supply arms, Joginder gave a epic reply - "Ammunition doesn't win war but courage does". He instigated his team with a war cry and he himself single-handedly killed several armed Chinese with just bayonets (knife inserted at the back of a rifle). The fight ended with successful defense putting the life of our hero at the stake. Hearing his death, his elder daughter died. Posthumously, Joginder was honored with Param Vir Chakra.
GANDHIAN BURI OF BENGAL:
We all know Gandhi but who is Gandhian Buri?. Born in a remote Village of Tamluk to a poor peasant on October 19, 1870, early life of Matangini Hazra doesn't seemed to be a bed of roses. She was married at 12 to a 60 year old man and widowed at 18 without a child. Following to her tragic turn of events, she transformed herself to a social activist. Inspired by Gandhiji, she actively participated in Quit India movement. She lead 6000 volunteers, mostly comprised of women, for a procession, holding the tricolor flag high as possible. Knowing this, the brutal British police passed section 144 and demanded disband of the rally. They opened a fire against the rally. Hazra, at her age of 72, took three bullets and yet pursued the march. Alas, she then fall to her death. She was affectionately called as Gandhian Buri by the locals of Bengal. Her statue was raised in her memory at the exact place where she was killed in Tumluk.
RAGE OF AN IPS OFFICER:
Vinod Kumar Chaubey, a chemistry teacher come IPS officer - a strange transition, became a huge threat to the naxalates of Rajnandgaon district. On July 12, 2009, naxalates killed two men of Vinod's team. Agitated Vinod with his 10 men drove to the outskirts of naxalates hide out. Responding to his arrival, naxalates launched a open fire. Adding to the pressure of outnumbered opponents, 300 people were kept as hostages by the naxalates. Keeping in his mind that no life from the bus as well as his teammates should perish, he fought hard bearing severe injuries from grenades. He encountered almost all of the naxalates, saving all the people from the bus and then succumbed to his injuries. After this strike, it was said no naxalates had guts to enter Rajnandgaon city. Posthumously, he was awarded Kirti Chakra.
MY FLAG WILL NEVER FALL:
The then British Government banned the tricolor flag to control the unrest of nation wide agitation. Nevertheless, it raised the nerves of several youth. One among was the 27 year old youngster from present day Erode district of Tamil Nadu, named Thirupur Kumaran. He founded Desa Bandhu Youth Organisation. In 1932, he gathered several youth and marched with the tricolor flag symbolizing that they are against the ban. Cruel British police counter attacked and opened fire against the procession. Not able to withstand the bullets from the fire, he fall to his death. In spite of his death, he hold the flag upright and flying high which paves to his sobriquet, Kodi Kaatha Kumaran (In Tamil meaning Kumaran who saved the flag). His statue was erected near by to the Thirupur Railway Station. There was also a street named after him,
FIFTH HERO:
For sure, this hero I am going to tell didn't do much so far but India needs this hero's contribution to safeguard the integrity of our nation. Yes, it's me and you and all the people of India. Sounds a bit funny but in fact it's a fact as India needs us, especially youth like us. Undoubtedly, India has a rich, prosperous and a pride past but it's an undeniable truth that we failed in the present. No one can give a negative nod in this statement. Here comes the biggest question. How can we etch our contribution?. Well, it turns out to be so simple. They say that many of small drops becomes a huge ocean. Even the little deeds can effect a huge change. Start by small things like don't bin the waste in open road, don't spit in public, don't buy foreign products, stop looting through bribes, pay taxes, learn and follow rules, don't sell your votes at the price of money and many things as such. I am not gonna elaborate as we know what it's to be done as a citizen of India. Be a true patriot and strive towards the betterment of our nation.
Obviously, there are many people who deserves the space in this page but the space in this page isn't enough to mention all those heroes. Comment the heroes who you know below.
Happy Independence Day to all the Indians. JAI HIND.
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