Unforgettable Memories

 Aditya Bajaj

1 BCOM D

20SJCCC303

Dear Toba Tek Singh,

It has been 73 years, 73 long years since the time you donated your life to this country, the time when Steve Rogers became Captain America. People of this great country still remember the big politically associated freedom fighters (not to name, though), but not you, my friend.

I still remember the days when you were in jail, and I used to visit you and bring a basket of Amla, and you used to tell me about the future of Independent India. After so many years, I realize you were correct in almost all the predictions which you made, be it the dependence on modern technology, the extremeness of climatic conditions, and the spread of western culture, only to name some of them. You were like Karna of the Mahabharata, who selflessly gave everything he had for the cause of the war. You had all the qualities of Karna, be it a good friend, having hands which were never tired of donating, being true to your word, and trustworthiness.

The reason that you could ignite the passion for freedom in our fellow citizens was your ability to find reason in whatever you said. You never lacked logic in any of your statements. One of your most eye-opening views about India was that “India is a manufacturer of heroes and gods. Indians like to worship, and India is the epitome of faith and belief. Today’s average person can become tomorrow’s hero, and tomorrow’s hero can become day after tomorrow’s God.”

Since your childhood, you took inspiration from Shaheed Bhagat Singh. His ideas, visions, and mission had motivated millions to fight for independence, and you were among one of them. While you were a part of HSRA, you helped him carry out a handful of missions. You were a man of integrity.

During partition, when violent clashes were happening between various communities, you were among the first who joined hands together to help the victims. I still remember that despite being injured because of the clashes, you stood strong and evacuated the people but later died in service of humanity, in service of the nation.

Although you are no more, you and your memories will forever remain in my heart and soul.

I hope to see you soon in Heaven when I am dispatched from the earth.

Your one and only,

Aditya

Report

Toba Tek Singh was a freedom fighter who lost his life while serving the victims of violent clashes during the Partition of India into India and Pakistan. He was courageous, valiant, and always dedicated to India and its citizens. The creative presentation which I have chosen depicts the typical life cycle of a freedom fighter, where his life goes through 7 stages. Those 7 stages completely justify the difficult and harsh life in which freedom fighters have to live. As a butterfly has to go undergo various life cycles, so is the case with freedom fighters. They slowly have to strengthen, to stand in a position where they can motivate thousands of others to be like them.

 

1.    Taking birth in their motherland

As would anybody do, to fight for their motherland, they have to be born in their motherland.

2.    Growing up learning from other leaders

A teacher was once a student. They have to see and learn from other people fighting for the same cause.

3.    Developing a sense of nationalism and patriotism

When there is a will, there is a way. If a person is not attached to something, he doesn’t understand its value. Hence our heroes love their country the most.

4.    Becoming an intellectual

Fighting doesn’t mean only weapons and wars. A single idea that unites everybody can also win fights. To spread that one idea, they need to know about various aspects.

5.    Motivating others to fight for freedom

Struggle for independence is not one person’s duty. Everyone has to give in their contribution. And that’s why people need to be brought together to fight against a single enemy.

6.    Forcefully being jailed

A person tries to suppress the one whom he is afraid of. And Britishers were no less. To stop the growing rebellion against them, they jailed many leaders and freedom fighters.

7.    Sacrificing their lives for the sake of the country

“Azaadi Balidaan Maangti Hai”, “Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Mai Tumhe Azaadi Dunga” were some of the most powerful slogans given by our freedom fighters. No one gets anything for free in life. Our heroes were our saviours, who without caring for themselves, happily sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of independence.

 

A creative expression is important in historical re-imagination because the text doesn’t convey as much information as a creative design, poster, film, or radio sound bite can convey. As it is India’s ancient culture, that grandparents tell a lot of stories to their grandchildren. This is not only for making them sleep but also for passing on ancient knowledge to the newer generations because creative art forms like stories, dance, plays, etc. connect themselves to the inner soul of a person. Storytelling has been and is also the most interesting way of making people re-imagine their history. It is because of the stories associated with people that we remember them. That’s why we still remember “Twinkle Twinkle little stars” as they made us imagine the stars twinkling in the sky but not some random science topic from our 9th class syllabus since that was not told to us in a form of a story.

 

The historical context which I have chosen is the violent clashes that took place predominantly between Hindu and Muslim communities at the time of partition. It was a tough time, with India not only fighting a war with Pakistan but also with poverty, hunger, unemployment, and illiteracy. People were migrating from India to Pakistan and the reverse way, leaving behind everything they had, their homes, villages, jobs, with no plan in hand. There was chaos all around. Toba Tek Singh had played a significant role in getting India its independence. Now another challenge lied ahead in front of him, to help the victims of the violent clashes reach their homes. The people or organisations that started these clashes were of a cruel mindset. They wanted to disturb the peace between India and the newly formed country. These clashes affected millions of people, in some or another way. Many lost their family, a lot of them were injured, and some went to through mental trauma and had to be shifted to mental asylums. There was no food, no shelter, nowhere to go. I feel that apart from those who instigated these clashes, the key people who handled all this were the ones sitting at the top. Not to name, though. Because of the greed of power and the desire of forming the government and for selfish motives, these people had caused the partition. Otherwise, why will a country who together fought for its independence suddenly demand partition?

Had the partition not happened, entire India (before Independence) would have walked on the path of growth, since there would have been more resources to deploy for the  benefit of the people, the current fights between the two nations wouldn’t exist, the lives of millions of people who lost everything they had due to partition would have been much, much better than what it is today. But it's no use crying over spilt milk. Let's focus prospectively while not forgetting our past. Like Toba Tek Singh, there were many others whom we need to bow to and remember. It's only because of their sacrifice that we are what we are today.