The Hindu : National : Celebrating 150 years of history...

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Friday, May 04, 2007
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National

Celebrating 150 years of history...

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Hindu Archives

SHOWCASING FREEDOM STRUGGLE: The monument of 14 freedom fighters hanged at Dhaulana in Meerut district of U.P.

NEW DELHI: The year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th year of India's First War of Independence will be showcased as a tribute by the youth of the 21st century to the young heroes of the 1857 Uprising.

The revolt, even in its failure, produced many heroes, and above all, it produced a sense of unity between the Hindus and the Muslims in the country that was to be witnessed in the later years and has become an important milestone in the freedom struggle, inspiring the future generations of freedom fighters.

And to honour Meerut — from where the mutiny began — the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, an autonomous body under the Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry, has decided to launch a national rally from Meerut on May 7 that will reach New Delhi on May 11 where a gala function at the Red Fort would mark the beginning of the celebrations.

Giving details of the events — Sajhi Shahadat, Sajhi Virasat — that would be held during the course of the celebrations, Union Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh — in his capacity as chairperson of the National Implementation Committee — said functions would also be held on August 9 at Mumbai to commemorate the Quit India Movement. The President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, United Progressive Alliance chairperson, and the former Prime Ministers, are among those invited for the function.

All State Governments and Union Territory administrations have also been directed to organise functions for the occasion in the best possible manner, Mr. Singh said.

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