Cong workers rue Tayyabji grave in a shambles

Tribune News Service

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Mussoorie, June 9

Congress workers paid rich tributes to freedom fighter Abbas Tayyabji on his 79th death anniversary, at the Congress Bhavan in Mussoorie today. However, they regretted that Tayyabi’s grave near Landour Bazaar in Mussoorie was lying in a dilapidated condition.

President of the Cultural and Temple Fair Preservation Committee Jot Singh Gunsola, shedding light on the life of the leader, said Tayyabji known as the grand old man of Gujarat was born on February 1, 1854. He died at Southwood Cottage, near Library Bazaar, on June 9, 1936 in Mussoorie, added Gunsola. He demanded that the Southwood Cottage be declared a memorial in the name of the great freedom fighter so that the trust formed in his name is able to run a school for girls from weaker sections in Mussoorie. Congress general secretary Javed Khan, paying tributes to Tayyabji, referred to him as ‘Chhota Gandhi’.

Mussoorie Congress president Satish Dhaundiyal said around Rs 4 lakh had been sanctioned through the Social Welfare Department for maintenance of the road leading to the graveyard where the great leader was buried, but nothing was done following that a few years ago.

Dhaundiyal further said that a close friend of Gandhiji passed away at Southwood Cottage located near Library Bazaar here on June 9, 1936.

The cottage was later donated to the government in 1947 to be converted into a memorial in 1947. However, the Central Government transferred the cottage to CPWD department, which is at present running a guesthouse for its employees in Mussoorie.

He demanded that the grave and the cottage where the leader breathed his last should be converted into a memorial that would be a tribute to the great leader.

DEHRADUN: MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi paid rich tributes to freedom fighter Abbas Tayyabji on his 79th death anniversary during a function organised by Tayyabji educational and charitable trust in Dehradun on Tuesday.

Joshi said it was due to the active role played by Tayyabji that the country got its freedom and the future generations should not forget the contribution of the great leader who was closely associated with the Salt Satyagraha and other freedom movements of the country.