Lala Lajpat Rai, 157th birth anniversary celebrate  in Jajpur

By Akshya Rout

Jajpur , Jan 28 : Well-known  Prayash social   Organization  virtually  celebrate 157th  freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary popularly known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ meaning the lion of Punjab also known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab at Bari In Jajpur district On Friday. On this Occasion  Most Papular Writer Er Taraprasad Mishra join as Chief Guest he said Lala Lajpat Rai is one of the bravest and most illustrious sons of India. He is still remembered reverentially as the “Lion of Punjab”. and “Punjab Kesari” He was born on 28th January 1865 in the village Dhudika near Jagraon in Punjab.

His father Lala Radha Krishna was a poor school teacher. Thus Lala Lajpat Rai was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He attained name and fame through sheer hard work and sincerity of purpose He got his primary education in his village. Then he studied at the Mission High School, Ludhiana. Later, he joined a school at Ambala from where he did his matriculation. He passed his intermediate examination from Government College, Lahore.

Later, after passing the Law examination, he started his practice at Hissar. He became a very successful lawyer and was known for his truthfulness and integrity. However, he has tormented all his life with acute dyspepsia. He had the rare quality of reaching out to others. He was always sympathetic to others’ needs. Thus, he became very popular with the people.

He liked the social service being done and reforms being preached out by the Arya Samaj Movement recently started by Swami Dayanand. He joined it and took an active part in it. He was one of the pioneers who worked hard to start the Dayanand Anglo Vedic College at Lahore.

 He did yeoman’s work to mitigate the sufferings of the victims of the famine of 1899. He joined the Congress in 1888 and attended the Congress Conference at Prayag. In 1905, he went to England along with Gopal Krishan Gokhle to express resentment against the partition of Bengal He is still known as one of the greatest orators of India and the lover of the poor and a great patriot. He was a great writer also. He started a monthly magazine “Young India” and also wrote several tracts including “Self De-termination for India”.

Later he joined the Swaraj Party. In the Congress, he was along with Tilak and Bipan Chandra known as a member of the extremist group. The trio was nicknamed Lal-Bal-Pal. He opposed the Simon Commission when it arrived at Lahore in 1928. He was mercilessly beaten in the chest by the British Police Officer, Scott. He was fatally wounded and died on 17th November 1928. His last words are unforgettable. “Every blow hurled on me would prove a nail in the coffin of the British imperialism.”

 His death was avenged by Bhagat when he shot dead Saunders, whom he took for Scott.said Mishra , Engnieer Arun Pattnaik has paid tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai on his Jayanti. Remembering the Punjab Kesari, as the freedom fighter was known, Mr. Modi said his story of bravery, struggle and dedication in the freedom struggle will always be memorable for the countrymen.