Freedom Fighter

When the sun shines and falls on the terrace, it is said to break the darkness of night and bring in the day. The cycle of day and night continues. It liberates the day from the night. But here was a time when the sun shines upon a caged land that desired to be free. Beena, a college student lived in such an India. She was an exception in many ways, first of all, she had survived without a husband till now and second, she continued her studies even now. Beena believed in a lot of things, especially independence. She always felt that she was free from shackles and her motherland was chained. She was a meritorious student who was also a part of a fringe group. This was a small group of educated women who helped and assisted freedom fighters.

They aided in the disguise and weapon making. Beena was the youngest of all the members yet the most determined. What made her different was her resilience. They were recently planning a crackdown upon a few British officers. The crackdown would involve gun fighting and they were all learning how to use the gun. This was a secret mission undertaken by the Tarun Swadeshi Dal, their gang name. They had pinned their hopes on Kusum, a fellow student of St.Stephens. Beena too studied here. Kusum will get inside the officer's club and others would dismantle them. Kusum would lead the troop. They would rob and ransack the place as much as possible.

The plan was perfect. Beena was given the responsibility of disguise. She would dress up everyone as men and help them get through the initial hurdle. The plan was going perfect but then Kusum was hit with a bullet. She died a martyr. Their group was unveiled and all of them were accused. Beena was the sole member who escaped the trial. Beena went into hiding and no one knew where she went. Her family went to great heights to find her refuge but were unsuccessful.

It's been three years since the incident and Beena was planning the assassination of the Governor to avenge the death of her fellow woman Kusum. Beena had planned everything to the tee. She had made an outline of his location based on his discourse. She continued to get everything in place and then go for the execution. on the D-day, she was ready to sacrifice her life at will if the situation demanded. She successfully fooled the guards and got into her position ready to shoot. But her bullet missed the target. She somehow managed to escape. She remained a fugitive all her life and then in 1947, India became Independent. She survived without ever getting caught. No one ever found out her surname and her story came out only when she published her memoir.

Kavita Sharma closed the book and was revising the chapter on female freedom fighters. She had read this story several times but she was never content. She wanted to read it over and over again. Kavita Sharma was an IAS aspirant belonging to the lower rung of society. She was a Dalit. She had recently appeared for her final round interview and was awaiting the results.

On her result day, Kavita was restless and anxious but more than anything she wanted to fulfil the brave legacy of Beena. Beena was the most striking figure in her life. Kavita too like Beena was fighting for independence. This time not from another country but her own people. She was fighting against the prejudices. She was fighting social injustice against women. If Kavita passed the exam, her righteous character would set an example for others. She will lead a way forward for many in her family and her village.

Kavita cleared the interview round with adequate marks and went for training. In the meantime, her cousin who was forced to marry early could now reject it, thanks to her. Her cousin too wanted to create an individual name for herself. Kavita Sharma much like Beena had laid the foundation for independence. For Beena it was literal and for Kavita it was metaphorical.