A man named revolution

Jasmine Singh

If you are driving on a highway through Punjab, there is a chance that every second bus, truck, private car or taxi that zooms past yours has a Bhagat Singh picture on the rear or front mirror of the vehicle.

The youth icon, the revolutionary freedom fighter, who died as a martyr at 23, still inspires people across all age-groups; people who salute his courage, who believe his ideologies could have made India a free country much before it got freedom! Today, on his death anniversary, youngsters across Tricity get into their Bhagat Singh attire, play songs that remind us of his daring and roll up their sleeves to flaunt their Bhagat Singh tattoos!

Songs of freedom

“The fact that just about every youngster has once Googled about him, watched his life being portrayed by stars on silver screen, heard Punjabi singers croon about his bravery...only shows how he till date inspires many,” shares Punjabi music director Sachin Ahuja. Sachin is also all-praise for cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s new song Ek Suneha Part 2 where Harbhajan recalls the heroic act of Bhagat Singh.

Umpteen Punjabi songs in the past sung by various artistes have highlighted Bhagat Singh’s bravado and courage. In fact, this year a Punjabi film, Bhagat Singh Di Udeek, showed how Punjab needs a Bhagat Singh who can stand against injustice like the martyr did.

It’s a movement

Interestingly, Bhagat Singh tees and turbans have a separate section at various stores. Harinder Singh, the man behind the brand 1469, doesn’t remember a time when the Bhagat Singh t-shirts of their brand have gone out of demand. “Shaheed Bhagat Singh is a movement in the history of Punjab. His presence is still felt in the young mind of not just Punjabi youth, but youth of India in general. That’s why we call him a movement in the present tense rather than past. Apart from his revolutionary thoughts and ideas, he was a poet, philosopher and scholar. His multifaceted personality had a magnetic effect on people. His selfless sacrifice for the betterment of the community has no parallel in history.”

In fact, Harinder derives inspiration from Bhagat Singh while creating many products. “The customer always looks for t-shirts, coasters, bags, posters, and paintings and sculptures, with the image of Shaheed Bhagat Singh,” he adds.

Inked, forever

If wearing a tee and tying a turban like him is one way of paying a tribute to the revolutionary, getting his face inked as a permanent tattoo just goes on to say how much the youth still believe in his ideals!

Randeep Singh Gill, a tattoo artist from Mohali, has lost count of youngsters who have got Bhagat Singh tattooed on them. “To these people, these are not just a tattoos; Bhagat Singh is a way of life they strongly believe in and follow too.”

Ravinder Kaushik, IAS, Secretary, Power and Renewable Energy, however, feels the right tribute to Bhagat Singh and his comrades would be if we help others in society, if we respect their sacrifice, if we love our nation and follow his teachings. Wearing a t-shirt probably could be a modern way of remembering him; ideally he should be remembered for his missionary zeal, standards of integrity and sacrifice.” Youngsters, got the message?

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