Tributes paid to Maj Durga Mal on ‘Martyrdom Day’

Dharamsala, August 26

Floral tributes were paid to Major Durga Mal at a function held to mark his ‘Martyrdom Day’ at Dharamsala. Brig Ramesh Atri (retd), who was the chief guest, recalled the sacrifice of this son of the soil. A pledge to serve the country was taken by all those present on the occasion.

Major Durga Mal was captured by British troops on March 27, 1944, and sent to gallows on August 25 at the Red Fort, at the age of 31. He was one of those brave fighters of Azad Hind Fauj who gladly accepted death for the freedom of the country.

Durga Mal was born on July 1, 1913. His father Gangamal was a Naib Subedar in Gorkha Rifles and mother a housewife. The British government imprisoned him in the Red Fort for participating in the freedom struggle. On August 15, 1944, a death sentence was pronounced on him. “The history of Durga Mal’s sacrifice shall ever inspire the youth of this nation and he will never be forgotten,” said Ravinder Singh Rana, president of Himachal-Punjab Gorkha Association at Dharamsala.

Committee head Colonel MS Karki, vice president SC Dhiman, Colonel Yashpal Jasrotia, ex-servicemen-officers and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.