Bongaigaon District Freedom Fighters’ Association observed the Quit India Movement Remembrance Day

Bongaigaon, August 9: The Bongaigaon District Freedom Fighters’ Association observed the Quit India Movement Remembrance Day on Saturday, August 9, commemorating the historic 1942 movement that played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence.

The remembrance programme was organised at the old Barpara LP School auditorium under the initiative of the Bongaigaon District Freedom Fighters’ Association. The programme began at 11 am with the garlanding of a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Association president Aditya Kumar Nath.

A large number of members of freedom fighters’ families from Bongaigaon district, members of the Bongaigaon District Lekhika Samaroh, and several senior citizens attended the event and paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi.

An interactive discussion was subsequently held under the chairmanship of Aditya Kumar Nath. Several speakers recalled the events and contributions associated with the 1942 Quit India Movement, while also highlighting various incidents that took place in the then undivided Goalpara district and present-day Bongaigaon district during the freedom struggle.

Among those who spoke at the programme were Association vice-president and former principal of Boitamari Higher Secondary School Kamal Kishore Adhikari, adviser Ramen Das, Assam Lekhika Samaroh vice-president Jyotsna Priya Devi, Association assistant secretary and Bongaigaon District Lekhika Samaroh secretary Manju Prabha Barua, Ram Krishna Majumdar, Tuniya Sahitya Sanskriti Parishad secretary Banalata Das, and senior citizen Tirtha Lochan Ray.

The programme commenced with a rendition of Vande Mataram. Association secretary Abhoyeswar Sharma explained the objectives of the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.

Association president Aditya Kumar Nath also recalled several important incidents from the beginning to the conclusion of the Quit India Movement and spoke about the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle.

During the programme, three proposals recommended by the Assam State Freedom Fighters’ Association, Guwahati, were adopted and submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, through the Bongaigaon District Commissioner.

The proposals are:

1.Official observance of August 9 every year: The state government should officially organise programmes every year to commemorate the Quit India Movement of August 9, 1942.

2.Family pension for a member of low-income freedom fighter families: A provision should be made to provide a family pension to one member of economically weaker freedom fighter families, and the initiative should be mentioned in the Chief Minister’s Independence Day address on August 15.

3.Financial assistance for district association offices: The process of providing ₹50 lakh in financial assistance to each district-level freedom fighters’ association having its own land for construction of an office building should be completed.

The programme served as an occasion to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and to underline the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Quit India Movement for future generations.