Most of us were born after India attained Independence and hence not aware of the hardships freedom fighters had to undergo. I had only read about freedom struggle and the contribution of many who rallied behind Gandhiji to oust the British rulers.
Hence, it was a memorable experience for my family to be with the 94-year old Gandhian KN Gopalan Nair in Kozhikode. One of his sins, according to the British was his involvement in destroying a bridge in Ulliyeri, now an upcoming town in Kozhikode. The Briish rulers were using the bridge to transport coal from Wayanad forests which they got from burning the trees.
Now staying with his daughter Sarala, Gopalan Nair is bed-ridden and needs help to walk. I found that age may have withered his body but that hasn't weakened his mind. He continues to inspire the younger generation- school children, politicians, ministers and people from all walks of life drop in ocassionally to spend time with him, get inspired and learn first hand the hardships he had to undergo in Bellary jail while national leaders were imprisoned for taking part in Quit India struggle.
He continues to monitor developments in Indian politics but I couldn't discuss it with him as he needs to lie down more often and is comfortable talking while sitting. A true Gandhian, he wore only simple khadi clothes which he urged his wife also to follow.
His family members said he always fought against injustice and that was evident when he fell flat before a bus to protest against splashing muddy water at him and careless driving.
All the fighters involved in the Ulliyeri brdige episode are no more except Gopalan Nair. I wish our school and college students could meet up with such leaders and see, learn about people whom they may have read about only in text books. In Gopalan Nair, we have a true Gandhian who had the opportunity to meet Gandhi several times and lived and preached his ideals.
For him, being part of the Congress and freedom movement was an inspiration so much so he quit studies at school while several of his contemporaries may have remained on the sidelines and chose to lead uneventful lives.
As I sat before him, I was thinking if I were born at that time, would I have taken the risk and joined the freedom struggle or simply be on the sidelines.
The mark of a true leader is the vision and ability to take risks, suffer hardships and plunge headlong into it amidst uncertainties.
India is what it is because of their efforts and several challenges of slow economic growth we overcame post Independence. As we were about to leave, I was indeed touched when he asked when are you people coming next. (I didn't want to take a photo of him in his present state, therefore only showing a citation from Mathrubhumi presented in his honour : Mahatmaji and Mathrubhumi 75 years
Hence, it was a memorable experience for my family to be with the 94-year old Gandhian KN Gopalan Nair in Kozhikode. One of his sins, according to the British was his involvement in destroying a bridge in Ulliyeri, now an upcoming town in Kozhikode. The Briish rulers were using the bridge to transport coal from Wayanad forests which they got from burning the trees.
Now staying with his daughter Sarala, Gopalan Nair is bed-ridden and needs help to walk. I found that age may have withered his body but that hasn't weakened his mind. He continues to inspire the younger generation- school children, politicians, ministers and people from all walks of life drop in ocassionally to spend time with him, get inspired and learn first hand the hardships he had to undergo in Bellary jail while national leaders were imprisoned for taking part in Quit India struggle.
He continues to monitor developments in Indian politics but I couldn't discuss it with him as he needs to lie down more often and is comfortable talking while sitting. A true Gandhian, he wore only simple khadi clothes which he urged his wife also to follow.
His family members said he always fought against injustice and that was evident when he fell flat before a bus to protest against splashing muddy water at him and careless driving.
All the fighters involved in the Ulliyeri brdige episode are no more except Gopalan Nair. I wish our school and college students could meet up with such leaders and see, learn about people whom they may have read about only in text books. In Gopalan Nair, we have a true Gandhian who had the opportunity to meet Gandhi several times and lived and preached his ideals.
For him, being part of the Congress and freedom movement was an inspiration so much so he quit studies at school while several of his contemporaries may have remained on the sidelines and chose to lead uneventful lives.
As I sat before him, I was thinking if I were born at that time, would I have taken the risk and joined the freedom struggle or simply be on the sidelines.
The mark of a true leader is the vision and ability to take risks, suffer hardships and plunge headlong into it amidst uncertainties.
Thanks..thanks a lot. Really touching...No words to explain my happiness....
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