INSPIRING MINDS: Sardar Patel had encouraged students to dedicate themselves for the country
As the country celebrates 77th anniversary of Quit India Movement, it was on August 10 that Ahmedabad had its first martyr. Vinod Kinariwala Memorial at Gujarat College campus reminds of the sacrifices freedom fighters had given ensure that their brethren are free from the clutches of a tyrant empire. Sardar Patel had also addressed a student rally before his arrest in the run-up to the movement.
Patel knew that all the prominent leaders will be arrested by the time the movement was launched and so urged students to sacrifice their academic careers to dedicate themselves for the country. City-based historian Rizwan Kadri has mentioned in his book, 'Krantionu Epicentre – Gujarat College' that Sardar told a gathering of students to put their books aside and act as the God guides them. Gujarat College was at the forefront of the Quit India Movement in Ahmedabad and its student Vinod Kinariwala was martyred on August 10, after a bullet hit him when he was trying to hoist Indian Tricolour. In his address to the students, Sardar had said that, a time has come when every single individual has to act like a 'Sardar' and take leadership of households.
"What is the duty of students? You should not serve self-interest or pursue a degree. The only thing I have to tell you is that if the British government attacks Gandhiji, then do not sit idle. Put your books aside and act as the God guides you," Patel told the young brigade. Sardar's words had an impact.
Quit India Movement had begun on Sunday, August 9, noted Kadri. The college opened on Monday amid tense environment. A group of student of Law College had organized a rally holding placards displaying 'Britishers Go Back', 'Quit India', 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mataki Jay'. The rally reached Gujarat College, where another group of students were waiting. Police were also ready to pounce on the students and youth. As the rally entered Gujarat College, a brutal lathi charge began. Eighteen-year-old Vinod Kinariwala tried to hoist the tricolour, at that time he was hit by a bullet fired by a policeman. Vinod was martyred. His memorial still stands tall in Gujarat College campus. "It was prepared by Kalaguru Ravishankar Raval. It shows a young boy taking the bull by its horns, a symbol of young people taking on a mighty empire. Similarly, there is another carving which shows an arm holding a tricolour and the handcuff is broken, indicating a fight for the freedom," said Kadri.
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 "Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel")
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