Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India on Monday brought out two books on revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Rajguru to commemorate the centenary of Khudian Bose’s martyrdom and birth centenary of martyr Rajguru, These are Khudiram Bose: Revolutionary Extraordinaire (English) written by Dr. Shri Hitendra Patel And Ajeya Krantikari- Rajguru (Hindi) by Shri Anil Verma respectively. The Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi released these books. The first copies of the books were presented to Shri Debasis Roy, Grand Nephew of Khudiram Bose and Shri Satyasheel Rajguru Nephew of Rajguru.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dasmunsi said that the two young martyrs on whom books have been released today provided spark to the cause of revolutionary struggle. He said that innumerable martyrs and freedom fighters have contributed to the cause of Indian National Movement that it truly reflects unity in diversity. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Publications Division in bringing out books on the freedom struggle and freedom fighters, this year.
Secretary (I&B), Sushma Singh in her remarks said that these books are our humble homage to the great sons of India and can be considered a remembrance of our great heroes. Their heroic deeds help us to evaluate our present actions and weaknesses. Smt. Veena Jain, Director, Publications Division in her opening remarks said that two books provide authentic information on the two legendary martyrs. On Khudiram Bose this is possibly the first book with a detailed and authentic account. Referring to the activities of the Division, she said that ‘Employment News’ online with over three lakh hits per day is the largest journal in India whereas the popular children’s journal ‘Bal Bharati’ has the largest circulation among children’s journal category. The monthly magazine ‘Yojana’ is the only one in India which is published in 13 languages, she said.
The authors of the book Dr. Hitendra Patel and Shri Anil Verma narrated their experiences while compiling the books and gave a peep into the contents of the books.
The book Khudiram Bose: Revolutionary Extraordinaire reasonably priced at Rs. 85 brings out the known and several lesser known facets of the young revolutionary. Partition of Bengal in 1905 had triggered revolutionary activities all over India, particularly in Bengal and compelled youth to break away from the path of representations and requests and took arms against the British rule. Khudiram Bose, perhaps the youngest revolutionary in the history of India’s freedom movement, was one such worthy son of Mother India. Events of the early phase of freedom struggle have been woven into a rich tapestry in this book which is bound to stir patriotic fervour in the reader’s heart.
Born in 1889 at Habipur village near Midnapur khudiram became the trail-blazer for the militant nationalist movement of India against the imperialist powers. His bombing of a British officer’s carriage sent tremors of fear among the British authority. On 11th August 1908 this eighteen year revolutionary embraced the gallows with a smile on his face and illuminated the way for hundreds of revolutionaries.
‘Ajeya Krantikari- Rajguru’ provides insight into the life and ideology of Shrivram Hari Rajguru was born in Khed village (now named as Rajguru Nagar) near Pune in Maharashtra on 24th August 1908. While in Varanasi to study Sanskrit and Hindu scri ptures, he came in contact with revolutionaries and became active member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Army, coordinated by Chandrashekhar Azad. In the Famous Lahore Conspiracy case, he was executed on 23rd March 1931 along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev.
