We remember Lokmanya Tilak who defined ‘Swaraj’ and brought uprising against British rulers on his birth anniversary
Mumbai, July 23: A scholar, a mathematician, a philosopher, a social reformer, a nationalist…… these many names for a single person who took birth with one and only one aim, to make our India free from the clutches of British Raj. He is none other but Bal Gangadhar Tilak (also popularly Lokmanya Tilak). On his 162nd birth anniversary the whole nation bows for his courage and a loud voice for his mother country’s freedom.
Tilak was among the first generation of India to receive higher education. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the leading creators of modern India. In 1905, he entered politics and took part in the freedom struggle of the country with full enthusiasm and enthusiasm. He was the first person who advocated for India's independence or self-rule. Not only did he initiate a nationalist movement against British rule, but also made Swaraj a part of the freedom movement.
Tilak was the man who awakened the Indians about their rights and worst condition from where they had to live because of the British Raj. Tilak was strict against the rule of any other country or person over India. He started newspapers “Kesari and “Maratha”. Both papers tried to teach Indians of their glorious past and reminded them to be self-reliant (Swadeshi).
The British Government took the raw material from India and after manufacturing goods over their factories imposed these goods to Indian people and they had to buy them because the Indian industries were closed by the Britishers. For Britishers India became such a place from where they can grasp the raw material for their industries and then sell their manufacturing goods here.
Tilak was very angry to saw this behaviour of British Government because by this England because richer and India became poorer. ‘Boycott foreign Goods, National Education, Self Government, Swadeshi’ were the four pillars on which Lokmanya ruled the heart of History of India.
He wrote the articles on Nationalism in his newspapers which create tensions and troubles for British Government because of this he sent to Jail in 1908 for 6 years. In this period of 6 years, he wrote his famous commentary on Bhagwad- Gita in Mandalay Jail. He established “Poona Home rule league” and with Irish lady Annie Besant’s “India Home-rule league”, Tilak started Home-rule movement which created a lot of troubles for British Government.
When he returned from jail in 1914 he was the unquestioned leader of India and until his death on August 1, 1920. He was a man who devoted his whole life to Nation. He wrote two books “Geeta Rahasya” and “Arctic Home of Aryas”
He also started two festivals in Maharashtra because of these festivals he tried to collect people and motivate them towards the freedom struggle of our country. He started Ganpati Jayanti” and “Shivaji Jayanti” in Maharashtra and very soon both these festivals became very popular in Maharashtra.
Both these festivals celebrated with joy and happiness till today in Maharashtra and many other parts of our country. Recalling every single contribution he did it proves that he was definitely the greatest son of our Motherland.
Today nation recalled the eminent contributions made by Lokmanya Tilak through social media- Twitter.
