GUWAHATI, March 23 � To bring patriotism in the forefront of public consciousness and propagating the lessons of �India first� among the citizens, the All India Patriotic Forum, Assam branch today commemorated the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who laid their lives for the cause of the country on March 23, 1931.
The All India Patriotic Forum is a non-political and secular organization, which works towards awakening patriotic spirit among the people. The Guwahati branch of the organization was started in 2013.
Explaining the objectives of the meeting organized for the purpose, Col (Retd) Manoranjan Goswami, member of the central executive committee of the organization, said that the martyrdom of the revolutionary leaders still inspires the people of the country, and instils a sense of pride and love for the motherland. He also explained the aims and objectives of the forum.
Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist and president of the Assam branch of the organization Rupam Baruah gave a background of the early independence movement in the country. �At a time when we are so busy with the personal and regional identities, we must remember that those who made possible the country�s independence, always thought about their greater identity as Indians,� he said.
�The date of execution of the courageous revolutionaries is a time to remember not just their acts of velour, but the greater motive to unite the people of India for one cause,� he added.
He also gave a background of the Jallianwala Bagh incident, Public Safety Bill and Trade Dispute Bill brought by the British for dominating the nationalist spirit of the people of India.
Ajoy Dutta, social activist and vice president of the forum here, outlined the contributions of the freedom fighters, especially the revolutionaries, including those of Assam, in the freedom movement of the country.
Hareswar Talukdar, member of the forum also spoke on the occasion.