PM pays tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to two iconic freedom fighters, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, on their birth anniversaries, hailing their courage, conviction, and lasting impact on the nation’s struggle for independence.

The Prime Minister said that the legacies of Chandra Shekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak continue to inspire generations in the country.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. He epitomised unparalleled valour and grit. His role in India’s quest for freedom is deeply valued and continues to inspire our youth to stand up for what is just, with courage and conviction.”

Paying tribute to Lokmanya Tilak, the Prime Minister said, “He was a pioneering leader who played a vital role in kindling the spirit of India’s freedom movement with unwavering conviction. He was also an outstanding thinker who believed in the power of knowledge and service to others.”

Born in 1856, Tilak was a scholar, mathematician, philosopher and one of the earliest advocates of Swaraj or self-rule. He fearlessly challenged British rule through his writings and launched two influential weeklies, Kesari and The Mahratta. As president of the Indian Home Rule League in 1914, Tilak mobilised nationalistic sentiments across the country.

Chandra Shekhar Azad, born in 1906, became involved in the national movement as a teenager, participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement at just 15 years of age. He later became a key figure in the Hindustan Republican Association, which he reorganised after the arrest or death of many of its members. Known for his fierce opposition to British rule, Azad led several revolutionary actions, including the 1925 Kakori train robbery.

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