Page 49 - NIS English, 16-30 November,2022

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Nation
DEENBANDHU SIR CHHOTU RAM

Messiah of the farmers who fought with the British

Born: November 24, 1881, Death: January 9, 1945

he great freedom fighter Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu influence in a large part of West and North India was
TRam, who fought relentlessly against the British so widespread that even the British administrators
was known as the messiah of the farmers. He was were forced to think a hundred times before refusing
born on November 24, 1881, in a very simple family in to listen to him.
Garhi Sampla, a small village of Jhajjar in present-day Not only this, the original thinking of Bhakra Dam
Haryana. It is said that once a moneylender, instead was the brainchild of Chhotu Ram. He had signed
of giving a loan, advised Chaudhary Chhotu Ram to a deal for Bhakra Dam with the Raja of Bilaspur.
become a patwari. At that time the moneylender may The people of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, are
not even have imagined that the person he is advising getting the benefit of this dam even today. The
will decide the fate of thousands of patwaris one empathetic attitude of Chhotu Ram for the upliftment
day. Fighting only on the strength of his own ability, of farmers and labourers is visible in the resolve
Choudhary sahib had even become the Revenue of the government of Prime Minister Narendra
Minister of Punjab.When the Congress Committee Modi which is trying hard for their empowerment
was formed in Rohtak in 1916, Chhotu Ram became through various efforts which include providing
its president but later left, after his disagreement with quality seeds and markets to them. Efforts are being
Mahatma Gandhi on the non-cooperation movement. made to ensure that the farmers get a fair price for
He formed the Unionist Party and his party won the their produce, to protect the farmers from weather
1937 Provincial Assembly elections and he became uncertainties, to provide modern seed, enough urea,
Minister of Development and Revenue. Chakravarti and a proper irrigation system, apart from providing
Rajagopalachari had said about him that "Choudhary help in maintaining the health of the soil. The statue
Chhoturam not only knows how to set high goals of Chhotu Ram was unveiled by Prime Minister
but also knows the way to achieve those goals.” He Narendra Modi in Sampla, Haryana on 9 October
is considered one of the most influential reformers 2018. On this occasion, he said, “Choudhary Chhotu
of his time. He was a vocal voice of the farmers, Ram was one of those social reformers who made
labourers, the downtrodden, and the oppressed. He significant contributions in this part of India.” He
fought against the divisive forces in the country. He described Chhoturam as a person who worked
understood the problems, and challenges faced by relentlessly for the upliftment of the oppressed and
farmers, and small entrepreneurs. It is said that his the downtrodden.

SANTI GHOSH The revolutionary who

shot a British officer at the age of 15

Born: 22 November 1916, Death: 28 March 1989

anti Ghosh, a revolutionary figure in the Comilla and joined the revolutionary organization
Sindependence struggle, was born on 22 November Jugantar Party. The basic objective of this party was
1916 in Kolkata, West Bengal. Santi's father to carry out revolutionary activities.
Debendranath Ghosh was a professor of philosophy The organization trained Santi in various weapons
at Victoria College, Comilla. Her early education including fencing and using sticks. She was later
took place at home and the spirit of devotion to the selected for a special campaign. 15-year-old Santi
motherland was awakened there only. Santi Ghosh Ghosh accompanied by her cousin Suniti Choudhury
was a founding member of the student union in went to Comilla's district magistrate Charles Geoffrey

New India Samachar November 16-30, 2022 47