Death won’t be able to kill my patriotism; my country’s fragrance will come even from my grave!
These were the lines uttered by the trinity of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, the emblem of endurance, grit, valour, fearlessness, sacrifice and patriotism. These lines are the testimony of their love for the Bharatmata. At the age of 22-23, the trio has shown us the path of pure patriotism. On the occasion of “Shahiddiwas” I bow my head to these three luminaries of India’s struggle for independence and many other Bravehearts who have selflessly devoted their lives to the country.
I urge all the students in India to learn the values from Shahid-e-Azamand his companions. They were aggressive but compassionate, determined but composed and committed to the cause. The 3Cs of Compassion, Commitment and Courage will be a mantra that will help you in facing different phases of life and keep you motivated.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh ji has imbibed the core values of Indian traditions and advocated for a plural, inclusive and egalitarian society. He was a voracious reader, thinker and philosopher. His passion for reading was so much that he has read hundreds of books during his lifetime.
His reading was diverse and included books in biology, economics, polity, poetry and philosophy. According to one of his biographies, he has read around 50 books during his years in the school (1913-21), around 200 books in his days at the college and approximately 300 books during two years before his ultimate sacrifice on 23rd March 1931. Perhaps this may be the reason for his intelligence, scientific temper, sense of justice and thought-provoking ideation. He was a deep thinker and understood the nuances of life and its ultimate purpose.
I encourage all the students to read and share with their friends and classmates. Students can add an endeavour of one book-one month to their lifestyle.
In this initiative, you read one book every month and share the book, its findings, your experiences and observations with your fellow mates. I also request all the teachers and guardians to provide diverse reading opportunities to our energetic youth. Childhood and young age leave a lasting impression and prepare oneself to become an active contributor to society.
Reading shapes the thinking and makes it coherent, concrete and constructive. It will enable students to express their thoughts to the wider audience effectively. Bhagat Singh started public writing at the age of 16 when he wrote on complex issues like universal brotherhood and agrarian issues in Punjab. Bhagat Singh was so determined from his childhood that he kept the soil of Jalianwala with him always to remember his life’s purpose. It is difficult to imagine such a level of vision and determination for the motherland from a teen-aged boy.
As Swami Vivekananda said, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea”, Bhagat Singh has personified this and made the freedom of the motherland as his sole goal for life.
He was so compassionate that when they planned to “make the deaf (british raj)”; he tested the bombs so that they should not harm human lives and only make noise and smoke. When along with BatukeshwarDutt, he threw the bomb in the central assembly, they purposefully threw it at the place where it should not hurt anyone; his purpose was to send the message to the British empire. Then he allowed the police there to arrest them peacefully.
He understood that his death would send a louder message than his life, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev happily embraced death singing “Mera rang de BasantiChola”.
I come from the devbhoomi Uttarakhand, also a veer bhumi as many from the state have laid their lives for the nation. I take great pride to represent the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in the parliament of India. Being the education minister of the country, I got to visit different vibrant campuses across the length and breadth of the country. Some days back, I attended the University of Delhi’s convocation and was fortunate enough to visit the room in the vice-chancellor’s office where the freedom fighters including Bhagat Singh were imprisoned during a court trial. I was overwhelmed by seeing the letters and other belongings of our Bravehearts.
I instructed the VC to make arrangements to make it convenient for students and teachers to visit the sacred place and get inspired. Bhagat Singh’s idea was influenced by the Indian darshan of "equality and plurality", he was a true patriot and not affiliated to any faction.
An epitome of his name (Bhagat), he was the true disciple of Bharatmata. We have to fulfil the dreams of our Shahids; we need to put our continuous efforts and energy into the India of their dreams. Under the leadership of a vibrant and dynamic prime minister, India’s government is committed to these dreams. It leaves no stone unturned for Sabka-Sath and SabkaVikas by gaining Sabka Vishwas.
(The writer is Union Education Minister, Government of India)