Veteran freedom fighter felicitated at IIIT-Una

Our Correspondent

Una, August 14

On the eve of Independence Day, the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Una, felicitated veteran freedom fighter Satya Bhushan Shastri. Partition Horrors Remembrance Day was also observed on the occasion.

Satya Bhushan Shastri is the son of Baba Lachman Das and Mata Durga Devi, the revolutionary couple who led the freedom struggle in the Una region during 1905.

Satya Bhushan’s two siblings — Satya Prakash ‘Bagi’ and Satya Mitra Shastri — also participated in the freedom struggle. Jailed on four occasions, Baba Lachman Das and Mata Durga Devi had prompted their sons into the freedom struggle.

Jailed in lahore

• Satya Bhushan Shastri is the son of Baba Lachman Das and Mata Durga Devi, the revolutionary couple who led the freedom struggle in the Una region during 1905
• Born on December 1, 1930, Shastri and his fellow classmates defied the British order of collecting 2 annas during the World War II. Shastri blew the rebellion against this decision and stirred up a students’ movement. Because of this, the school headmaster struck off his name from the school roll
• Shastri was arrested for reciting poetry against the British regime during a rally at Sheikhupura, now in Pakistan. He was later imprisoned in Borstal Jail, Lahore, and after being released, he secretly participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942

Born on December 1, 1930, Shastri and his fellow classmates defied the British order of collecting 2 annas during the World War II. Shastri blew the rebellion against this decision and stirred up a students’ movement. Because of this, the school headmaster struck off his name from the school roll.

Shastri was arrested for reciting poetry against the British regime during a rally at Sheikhupura, now in Pakistan. He was later imprisoned in Borstal Jail, Lahore, and after being released, he secretly participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942.

On the occasion, the 94-year-old veteran spoke about the roles he played in supporting revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Gokul Chand. Through his speech, he illustrated the immense cost of independence, besides the significance of appreciating and preserving it.

IIIT-Director Prof Manish Gaur acknowledged Shastri’s sacrifices and contributions towards the country. Patriotic speeches, poems and plays depicting were also presented by the students.