The poetry of freedom — sarfaroshi ki tamanna ...

The master craftsmen of words and emotions fired the imagination of a nation in chains to reclaim its right to freedom

Ashwani Kumar

Updated At : 06:40 AM Aug 08, 2026 IST

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HUMANKIND’S irrepressible urge for freedom has inspired several popular movements for Independence, including our own, in a long and unequal fight against imperial colonialism. The 80th year of Independence should be our moment to salute those who articulated the pain and aspirations of a subject nation into a compelling song of resistance that shook the foundations of the mighty British Empire.

THE TRIBUNE, India’s oldest, daily English-language newspaper, was first published on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan), and save for 40 days in the immediate aftermath of Partition, has come out every day over the last 145 years. THE TRIBUNE was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist of the time. The newspaper is run by a five-member Trust, which is chaired by Shri N N Vohra, former Governor of J&K State (2008-2018); as well as Justice S S Sodhi, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court; Shri Gurbachan Jagat, former Governor of Manipur; Lt Gen. Shamsher Singh Mehta, former Western Army Commander; Shri Paramjit Singh Patwalia, Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court.

THE TRIBUNE is free, objective, and independent. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language, are the hallmarks of the paper.

The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).

Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia

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The poetry of freedom — sarfaroshi ki tamanna ...

The master craftsmen of words and emotions fired the imagination of a nation in chains to reclaim its right to freedom

Ashwani Kumar

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