Karnataka - Mysore   

Mysore's freedom fighters left in the lurch

Special Correspondent

Lament that Gandhi Jayanthi celebration has been reduced to a ritual

DISILLUSIONED: Gandhians Jaisimha (left), Seetharam Iyengar and Venkatachalaiah.

MYSORE: When the nation observes Gandhi Jayanthi on Sunday and political leaders pay "glowing tributes" to the Father of the Nation, staunch Gandhians here are struggling to find funds for medicare and languish in neglect.

Inspired by Gandhiji's idealism, they spent the prime of their life in the freedom struggle and were given to frugal living.

But the freedom has brought nothing to them except disillusionment and disenchantment.

While R. Ramaprasad of Saraswathipuram has to undergo dialysis, Hucchaiah of Mandi Mohalla is afflicted by a paralytic stroke and both are hamstrung by lack of funds for treatment. The Mysore District Freedom Fighters' Association has taken up their cause and is moving from pillar to post to secure aid for the treatment of the last few surviving members of a bygone era.

These are just two instances of how the freedom fighters are paid "lip sympathy" and are forgotten after token appreciation of their sacrifice and valour, said K.S.D. Seetharam Iyengar, a veteran freedom fighter and staunch Gandhian.

"On the midnight of August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru said that the dream of Gandhiji was to wipe every tear from every eye, to drive away poverty, disease and illiteracy. But this has not come about because the present day politicians do not know anything about Gandhiji or the freedom struggle and have reduced Gandhi Jayanthi to a mere ritual," T. Venkatachaliah, another Gandhian who participated in the freedom struggle and retired as a teacher, said.

This disillusionment stems from the contempt that the authorities display towards them though they are identified for "felicitations" held periodically during Gandhi Jayanthi, Independence Day and the Republic Day.

Jaisimha, a Gandhian and son of late M.N. Jois, said "Ramarajya was our dream but it has been shattered and the official Gandhi Jayanthi celebration has been reduced to a meaningless ritual."Lamenting over the economic policies pursued by the Government, Mr. Iyengar said that at the time of Independence there was not a single rupee of outstanding loan but today every Indian has a loan of Rs. 10,000. If there was anything the three veterans would like to change it is the education system. Mr. Jaisimha and Mr. Iyengar called for compulsory study of the freedom struggle and the life of freedom fighters at all levels.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pourakarmikas threaten strike during Dasara
French connection of Mysore Dasara
Mysore's freedom fighters left in the lurch
Make review of Ministers' performance public: BJP
A glimpse of the skills of rural artisans and craftsmen
A direct rail link between City of Palaces and Pink City
Dasara organisers launch `tourist-friendly measures'
Special illumination
In Mysore Today

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu