A TRIBUTE TO A TRUE MARTYR
The great land of Sindh played a pivotal part in the freedom struggle for Indian Independence. Numerous people, both men and women, young and old, fought bravely and courageously for the cause of the country. During the struggle for Independence, six brave freedom fighters from Sindh, Meghraj Lulla, Dattatreya, Hassanand Pamnani, Harchandrai Kishandas, Allahbux Sumro and Hemu Kalani embraced martyrdom. Our country during its struggle for Independence has been blessed with more than a few such great sons, who during the struggle for freedom have always placed country before self. The community would once again come together to honour Hemu Kalani, the legendary soul whose 59th Death Anniversary falls on the 23rd January, 2002. Sindhishaan salutes the efforts of the people of unified Sindh whose acts of bravery contributed to Indian Independence and offers its tribute to the legendary martyr, Hemu Kalani whose heroics swell one and all with pride.
Speaking about martyrs, the names of Chandrashekar Azad, Udham Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh immediately strike one’s mind. Their names have been encrypted in gold in the genesis of free India, their acts of bravery have been passing from generation to generation and they are truly inspirational figures for people who are filled with patriotic fervor. Though, there may not remain tow opinions on whether these great souls of the land have been adequately honoured, there certainly remains a huge question mark on the recognition awarded to martyr HEMU KALANI.
Kamala Kalani, sister-in-law of Shaheed Hemu Kalani and active member of the Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani Yadgar Mandal, however does not fail to mention that the authorities have time and again appreciated Hemu’s efforts. She states, “In 1945, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru paid a personal visit to our house in Sindh and consoled a weeping mother, Jethibai Kalani. He even presented her with a bravery medallion. On the 8th of October 1983, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi released a commemorative stamp in the sweet memory of Hemu Kalani.”
But she raises a query with a certain sense of grief, “Hemu was only a school boy when he was sent to the gallows for the cause of freedom. Though, we are extremely proud of Hemu’s act, I still am at a loss of words to explain why is his contribution to Indian freedom being portrayed low in comparison to the other martyrs. His name is not taken in the same breath as Bhagat Singh or Rajguru.” She further emphasizes that there is not a semblance of doubt that the others most certainly deserve what has been conferred upon them, right from the presence in school textbooks to the documental evidence being prepared on them in celluloid form. But shouldn’t the name of Hemu Kalani be taken in the same breath as the others. She politely asks, “Is he just a great son of Sindh, isn’t he a great son of the country too? How will the future sons of the nation know of the sacrifice of Hemu Kalani if adequate space for his contribution is not provided through all media?” Such continual recognition from the authorities and the media only do justice to the incomparable acts of bravery by these spirited souls.
By the team of Sindhishaan.