A great freedom fighter

Today when we live in a free land; today when we breathe in free air; today that we are no longer slaves to any race; it is all because there were many people, our forefathers; who sacrificed their all for the sake of a FREE INDIA.

THIS is the story of an unknown freedom fighter whose story is a truly inspirational one.

Tara Rani Srivastava was part of Mahatma Gandhi's Quit India Movement. She and her husband, Phulendu Babu, lived in the Saran district, which is in Bihar.

 In 1942, she and her husband were leading a march in Siwan towards the police station when Phulendu Babu was shot by police. She nonetheless continued the march, returning later to find that he had died. 

Tara Rani was born in Saran near the city of Patna. She had married Phulendu Babu at the early age of thirteen years, as was the custom prevalent then. As there were various public proposals that could have ultimately led to an increase in gender inequality, Tara Rani galvanized women from and around her village to join protest marches against the British Raj.

On 12 August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave a call; and she and her husband organized a march to raise the Flag of India in front of the Siwan police station. This act would be seen as "a major defiance" of the British Raj.

The police lathi-charged the protesters in order to prevent them from hoisting the flag. When they were unable to gain control, the police opened fire.

 Phulendu Babu was among the victims who were shot and wounded. Despite that, Tara Rani bandaged her husband's wounds with strips of cloth torn from her sari; and then continued her march to the police station, where she attempted to hoist the flag.

 On her return, she discovered that her husband had died of his injuries. On 15 August 1942, a prayer meeting was held in Chhapra in honor of her husband's sacrifice for the country. Tara Rani Srivastava maintained her composure even during her husband's funeral, becoming an inspiration to many women.

Tara Rani Srivastava continued to be part of the freedom struggle until the Partition of India on 15 August 1947.

Today, when we see many tricolour flags lying on roads after the Independence and Republic day celebrations are over; this story is really an inspiration to all of those who do not understand the importance of THE TRICOLOUR.

Today, we need people like Tara Rani Srivastava and Phulendu Babu who rise above personal loss and work and think only for the nation. It is our duty to uphold the unity and sovereignty of our country; which we could achieve only after freedom fighters like Tara Rani Srivastava and Phulendu Babu sacrificed their everything for the cause of the Nation.

This is a small anecdote to the unsung heroes and heroines of India whose sacrifices were not remembered and known in present-day India. Let's express our heartfelt gratitude to them for their supreme sacrifice for which we are able to live in a free Nation.

JAI HIND