Rawat honours freedom fighters, releases book

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 8

Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said it was difficult to do analysis of the history of Tehri, which on one hand has an aspect of royal family, while on other the contribution of the people of this region towards Independence movement is immense.

The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering after releasing “Tehri Katora Bhar Yaad Aur Uday” book authored by Sheeshpal Gusain. Harish Rawat said the famous Prajamandal that raised the concerns of ordinary Tehri inhabitants was another key factor linked to Tehri. He said the sacrifice of Sridev Suman for the betterment of common people can never be forgotten. Recalling his early association with personalities of Tehri, the Chief Minister said he used to attentively listen to the speeches of Govind Singh Negi in the Lucknow state Assembly.

The Chief Minister also honoured eight personalities of Tehri, five of them posthumously. Among those honoured freedom fighter Paripurnanand Painuily, Kamla Rangad and Radha Ratudi.

Among those honoured posthumously included Capt Shooveer Singh Panwar, Trepan Singh Negi, Govind Singh Negi, Khushal Singh Rangad and Acharya Gopeshwar Kothiyal. The scroll of honour was received by family members of these personalities.

Freedom fighter and former MP Paripurnanand Painuily recalled Tehri uprising against the feudal kingship. Author of the book Sheeshpal Singh Gusain present that intiatlly he wanted to release the book on December 29, the day Tehri got founded but had to pre- pone his plans as elections notification could take place by then.

Former IAS officer Chandra Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Gambhir Singh, historian and writer Jay Singh Rawat, Vinod Uniyal, Ravindra Jugran and large number of personalities were present on the occasion.