Introduction
There were innumerable sons of India who struggle for the freedom of India from British and uplift of people. Their paths differ but goal was same. We had non violent movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, armed acts by revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh who fought on soil of India and also the armed struggle from abroad. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is well known as one who fought for independence from abroad. There is another lesser known great freedom fighter and revolutionary who formed a government in exile abroad at Kabul and planned armed struggle. He is none other than Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh.
Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh as born born at Hathras ( Mahamayanagar) Uttar Pradesh on first December 1886. He is also known as Aryan Peshwa. He was educated in Government High School, Aligarh and Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental Collegiate School. The attributes of secularism were deep rooted in him..
Swadeshi movement and opposition to untouchabilitry
He attended Congress session in Kolkata in 1906. There, he came in contact with prominent leaders associated with Swadeshi movement. He was greatly influenced by freedom fighters like Dadabhai Naroji and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He became a strong supporter of Swadeshi movement. . He actively participated in the movement to burn foreign made clothes. .He decided to promote small industries with indigenous goods and local artisans. He also established a polytechnic called Premi Mahavidyalaya at Vrindavan for this purpose. This clearly shows that he practiced what he believed. He was a man of action and not words. . He opposed untouchability. He dined with low caste families including scavenger. This clearly shows that he believed in oneness of humanity and was a bitter opponent of considering anyone untouchable for mere accident of birth in a particular caste
Visit abroad
With a view to liberate motherland, he left India on 20 December 1914 while in his late twenties. He sought outside support for the cause of Independence. He was invited to Berlin by Chatto Chatto alias Virendra Nath chattopadhaya who had founded founded Berlin committee. Chatto had sent first mission to Afghanistan under leadership of Dada Chanji Kersasp, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was desirous of personal meeting with Kaiser Wilhelm II. Chatto rushed to Geneva to intimate Pratap of the Kaiser's eagerness to see him, and they went to Berlin together. Another revolutionary Har Dayal, followed them. By conferring on Pratap the title Order of the Red Eagle, the Kaiser demonstrated his understanding of the strategic position of the Phulkian States (Jind, Patiala and Nabha), At Pratap's request, he was given an opportunity to go to a military camp near the Polish border for getting direct knowledge of the army policy and functioning. On 10 April 1915, along with Maulavi Barkatullah, a German diplomat and some others, Pratap left Berlin, with due credentials from the Kaiser. In Vienna, they had a meeting with Khedive of Egypt who showed his deep desire to see the collapse of the British empire. They had contact with Pasha, who appointed a trustworthy military officer to guide the Mission. Rauf Bey welcomed them with a detachment of 2000 soldiers at Ispahan. They reached Kabul on 2 October and were greeted by Habibullah with whom they had serious and long discussions.
Formation of government in exile
1 December 1915 was Pratap's 28th birthday. On this day, he established the first Provisional Government of India in exile at Kabul in Afghanistan. Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was President and Maulavi Barkatullah the Prime Minister of this government. It appears that Amir had some loyalty to British and hence kept on delaying the expedition. Raja Mahendra Pratap had a good relationship with Lenin. Lenin invited him to Russia on its liberation and welcomed him. The British government in Idia considered him a real threat and declared a reward on his head.
Visit to Japan
Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh visited Japan in 1925. He published 'World Federation Monthly Magazine' in 1929. Raja Mahendra Pratap tried to take advantage of world war situations for liberation of India from British rule. He formed Executive Board of India in Japan in 1940. Ultimately, British government relented and allowed Raja Mahendra Pratap to honorably return to India. He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1932.]
Return to India
He returned to India on 9 August 1946 and rushed to Wardha to meet Mahatma Gandhi.
He continued his struggle for real empowerment of common man even after independence. His strongly believed that Panchayat Raj could really empower people, check corruption and bureaucracy. He was a member of the second Lok Sabha from 1957-1962. He was elected as an independent candidate from Mathura constituency. He was president of Indian Freedom Fighters' Association. He was president of All India Jat Mahasabha also. He died on 29 April 1979.
Conclusion
Raja Mahendra Pratap was a great visionary. He was a life long revolutionary. He wanted radical changes in society and world order. He also toyed with the idea of 'World Federation'. For him, entire world was a family. He viewed cut in expenditures on police and armed forces would release resources for development of all nations..
The world is heading towards the greatest crisis since monkey became man ten thousand years ago.
It is the financial crisis. Currency of the world has failed as a fair means of exchange. It robs the fair worker. It has become an easy tool in the hands of the unfair people, ministers and millionaires, who rob the honest people of their toil, sweat, blood and tears, with bits of printed paper.
The promissory notes no longer promise bread, clothes and houses. Promissory notes only promise more toil, blood, sweat and tears to the honest worker. To the dishonest moneymaker, promissory notes only promise more promissory notes!
Little wonder, price of gold is rising. Rich people have lost faith in paper money and are converting their bagfuls of currency notes into gold at any price. What can the poor honest folk do? They do not have money even to buy their daily need.
The poor teeming millions are in majority and them truly from the democracy in India and elsewhere in the world. In the coming elections we need only one-point manifesto; `convert all currency into pass books’.
The government should stop printing all currency and instead issue pass book to everybody on which his income and expanses should be given. Whatever you earn should be given in your pass book. Whatever you spend should also be written in your pass book.
Whenever you buy something from anybody, he enters the amount in your pass book as `withdrawal,’ and you enter the same amount in his pass book as `receipt’. All pass books are periodically returned to the state banks for checking and auditing. As soon as you deliver the old pass book, a new pass book is issued to you so that there is no interruption in your business transaction.
Nobody can steal your pass book, which should be like passport with your photo, signature, and details. In fact, a pass book should serve as a passport also, and it should be sufficient for casting your vote in election. The elaborate system of ballot papers and electoral rolls can be completely done away with.
Land of our birth, our faith, our pride, for whose dear sake fathers died! Freedom fighters died for our country independence. They were great. Hats off to those brave and worthy patriots, their glory be revered and cherished forever.
The courage and the devotion of our Indian country freedom fighters towards their mother were amazing. They endured all hardships to see the country free, from the British ruling. Because of their continued effort, India gained independence on August fortnight, that was 15, 1947. We are indeed proud of them!
Some great martyrs of our Indian country
Tatya Tope
He was the hero of the revolt of 1857, the first war of independence. He was among the first to raise his great voice for the freedom of our country. The British rulers feared this courageous and mighty general. When he was deceived by his friend, he faced his death like a nation of the hero.
Rani Laxmibai
She symbolizes the bravery of Indian women and their sacrifice for the country. Queen Laxmibai, the ruler of Janshi kingdom, led her troops to battle against the British in the Revolt of 1857. She died fighting her kingdom and is one of the woman martyrs of the country.
Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi
The Mahatma Gandhi who is the father of the nation was the architect of India’s freedom. His life was decided to the ideals of truth, nonviolence, peace and love. He led the non-violent movement against the British. His contribution to Indian country is one of the greatest.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
He gave the people a strong cause to fight for independence, when he said, `Swaraj is our birthright.’ All his life he worked for Indian’s freedom and development. He established own school and published newspapers. He worked tirelessly to awaken the patriotic feelings among his fellowmen.
Veer Bhagat Singh
He was a fierce patriot, a young revolutionary. His bravery has made him a symbol of the heroism of the youth of India. He threw a strong bomb when Legislature was in session, to warn the British Ruler. He was executed by British government but always lives on in the heart of Indians as a beloved hero.
Annie Besant
She was a social leader. She was born of Irish parents in London but, made India her home from November 1983. She worked for many social reforms. Annie Besant founded Central Hindu Collage at Varnasi and organized the Indian Home Rule League. Later, she became its president. She died in 1933.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
He was the only one poor prime minister of India from 1964 to 1966. Economically he was very poor. He ruled only two years without selfish. Really he was great leader. He was imprisoned by the British rulers for national activities. When India became free in 1947, he became a minister in Utter Pradesh. He became the prime minister after death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He died in January 1966.
There were several other great Indians whose contribution towards the country was enormous.
Their indomitable spirit still burns brightly in the hearts of all Indians. Even after independence whenever India faced any war or crises we have seen heroic martyrs. They have shown deep devotion and pride for their country.
By being good citizens, studying hard, and showing love for other fellow beings, we can contribute to our country’s well being.
Significance of the pledge
Principal: children, do you know what is meant pledge?
Monitor: we say it, but we are not quite sure of the meaning. Please tell us.
Principal: it is a solemn promise that you take to treat all the people of Indian as people of India as you brothers and sisters. You state that you would work with devotion for the welfare of your country and its people. You also vow that your happiness lies in the well-being of the poor and the destitute. In short, you vow to devote yourself to the development and prosperity of your nation.
Monitor of other classes: yes teacher, everywhere we meet people of different cats and religions. We live together, we learn together, we pray together, we celebrate festivals together, and we are all one family, part of the one world.
Principal: so you, all have understood the meaning of the `pledge’ thoroughly.
Moral science teacher: in 1992, communal riots broke out Mumbai. Mass killings place between rival groups. Houses, vehicles, and voluble properties were destroyed by angry and frustrated mobs.
But, there were exceptions too. In many parts of the city, both the communities are still living together as brothers and sisters. They did not rouse the feelings of enmity during the riots. They shielded each other during the riot period. Some volunteers and good politicians of both the communities played a great role in maintaining peace and normalcy in the city. Police officials worked hard to bring back trust and confidence among he two communities. Then peace was restored. Now, in the areas where riots took place, Mohalla committees have been formed. These committees organize cricket matches between the youths of the Mohalla Committee and the local police. The aim is to maintain peace among the masses and also to create brotherliness between them.
Peace and harmony are the major pillars of a developing country. People of all ages should join hand and work together. Human chain is organized to promote the idea of co-operation and co-existence.
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Subcategories
Festivals
The category focusses on festivals followed at different places of the world.
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