IIAS organises seminar on Punjab’s unsung freedom fighters

A two-day national seminar on the theme “Forgotten Legends: Punjab’s Unsung Heroes in the Freedom Struggle” commenced today at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. The seminar was organised in association with ShoDH (Students for Holistic Development of Humanity), a think tank that seeks to explore the multidimensional contributions of unsung freedom fighters from Punjab.

The inaugural session was graced by Prof Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh and vice-president of the Sahitya and Sanskrit Academy, Haryana, who delivered the keynote address as the chief guest.

In his address, Prof. Agnihotri emphasised that remembering the countless unsung heroes of the freedom struggle was not merely the responsibility of historians, but also served as a vital source of inspiration and awareness for future generations. He particularly highlighted the diverse streams of Punjab’s freedom movements — revolutionary, religious, and agrarian — and their significant role in the national struggle.

Distinguished guests included Prof S Ragnath, Fellow at IIAS; Dr Nitin Vyas from the Department of Tourism, Himachal Pradesh University; and Gaurav Attri, North Zone Organising Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who also shared their views. Prof Raghavan reflected on the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of Punjab’s revolutionary consciousness during the independence movement.

Dr Nitin Vyas stressed the importance of such academic deliberations not only as a matter of historical justice but also as part of cultural reconstruction. Attri encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from the narratives of unsung heroes, asserting that awareness of their sacrifices can guide the younger generation in nation-building.

Scholars and academicians from across various universities of the country will be presenting research papers during the sessions of the seminar.