Memoirs of our Silver Jubilee Indepedence Day in 1972

 Memoirs of our Independence Day  in the year 1972

India celebrates Independence Day every year on August 15^th.

What do people do ?

People of India pay homage to the freedom fighters and leaders. We watch movies about freedom fighters on television and many spend good time with family and friends. Schools and colleges celebrate by hoisting national flag in their premises and distribute flags and sweets as a mark of respect to the freedom fighters. Many government and private companies too celebrate Independence Day in the office premises by falg hoisting and an inspirational speech.

What I did in 1972 , Silver Jubilee  Independence Day in Madras ?

It is always a pleasure to recall the past for me and share those happy moments to all. Some or many may be interested to know more about past like me.

I was a student member of Madras Student’s Gandhi Forum at that time and the Convener , Shri.V.R.Radhakrishnan has organized a “pada yatra “ for the student members for a big celebration on 14^th and 15^th August 1972,being a special silver jubilee. He was a freedom fighter and a “Tamara Patra “holder, honoured by Government of India for his services to the nation. He was a true Gandhian and had a conviction to change the student community towards Gandhian principles and philosophy. I am proud to say that I am  a beneficiary since being very closely associated with him.

So the Pada Yatra started with all students members , including my brother Gopi, Suresh, gathered at Gandhi statue in Marina and our destination is a place called Nazerathpet, near Poonamalle. We started walking from Marina lead by VRR and en-route the first halt was at Governor’s Bungalow for a tea in the lawn for all of us sponsored by then Governor Shri.K.K.Shah ( if my memory is correct ). No ordinary person will get a chance to have tea with Governor. But we were  honored  for our movement to take Gandhian thoughts and deeds to public  as students.

To name another student member , I wish to share about  a person , Chandrasekaran , a close  friend of mine  and a family member of VRR , guided me towards the Gandhian movement and he joined with me in all activities of the Forum and was a strong support to VRR. We had been on a Gandhian pilgrimage in Sept.-Oct. 1971 to many places associated with Gandhiji all over India including his birth place on Oct.2nd at Porbunder. The membership certificate and the pilgrimage certificate is attached for the benefit of my old associates , believing, someone will read and renew contact with me.

The entire route of the Pada Yatra  was in a celebration mood and we reached Nazerathprt via Guindy at the stroke of 10 p.m.on 14th August. The reception by the local villagers cannot be forgotten. “ Tharai and Thambattam –South  Indian village drum beats in  high pitch “  received us at midnight on 14^th August and lot of crackers were burst  to mark the 25 years of  Indian Independence. We were provided a grand dinner late night and slept few hours to continue our social service activity in that village. Today  the same Nazarethpet village gives a much developed look with  S.K.R.Engineering college , good schools  and a big township  for a gated community living is coming  up.

All the student members of Madras Students Gandhi Forum cannot forget the silver jubilee Independence Day celebration. I wish  and request, if any one of my old student member reads this , may please contact me to share our lingering past pleasant good times in the Forum. We were very grateful to Shri.VRR  for  showing the right path at the young age of 19 and now I am 60 looking back the festive mood of Independence Day of that time. In next two days we are going to celebrate our 66^th Independence Day , but with a difference…

Shri V.R.Radhakrishnan

Shri.V.R.R's Family

To show my gratitude to Shri.VRR, I salute his family members here on this happy day and wish to share their photo. Smt.V.R.Radhakrishnan is sitting in the chair ( second from right ).Happy Independence Day to all.