Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters Association (JKFFA) today paid rich tributes to Mangal Pandey, the soldier who inspired India’s independence struggle on his 162nd death anniversary at Dogra Shaurya Sthal, Ambphalla, Jammu.
The function was organised by JKFFA Chairman Ved Gandotra and Vice Chairman Rajiv Mahajan in presence of President of Association R C Puri besides other prominent members of Association. On this occasion, Neeraj Anand was chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Gandotra said that Mangal Pandey is most notably remembered for standing up against the British rule and sparking the Indian rebellion of 1857, which went on to inspire the struggle for Independence in India. Born on July 19, 1827, in a Brahmin family, Pandey joined the British East India Company at the age of 18 as a soldier.
In 1857, Pandey rebelled against some English officers and killed many of them for their cruel nature towards Indians. He reminded fellow Indians of their self-respect.
Pandey’s rebellion inspired many Indians to raise their voice against the oppression of the British rule in India, which later took the form of a major revolution, he added.
Mahajan regretted the lack of awareness among the youth about the country’s freedom struggle and called for all-round efforts to inculcate knowledge of history among the masses.”The young generation is not fully aware of the heroic sacrifices of freedom fighters that paved the way for our independence,” Mahajan said “The martyrdom of sepoy Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore is a saga of heroism. We can be justly proud of him. And commemorative programmes on Plassey and Sepoy Mutiny will only help in enriching the knowledge of history of the young generation,” he said.
“Let us ensure that we exercise our rights and proudly participate in our democracy so that India heads in the right direction. Let us be grateful to those events responsible for the freedom in India, Mahajan added.
Others prominent persons present on the occasion were Th. Karnail Chand, Brij Mehra, J.J Singh, R.R Raina, Rajinder Gupta and Gaurav Kumar and others.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
