Date:30/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/30/stories/2007113062941100.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

Glimpses of the freedom struggle in India

Staff Correspondent

A five-day exhibition in Mangalore depicts events from 1857 to 1947

— Photo: R. Eswarraj

Celebrating independence: Children having a look at exhibits on display at ‘Nirdhar Darshan’ in Mangalore on Thursday.

MANGALORE: A life size replica of an Enfield gun tucked away in the corner of a panel draws discerning eyes visiting Nirdhar Darshan, an exhibition showcasing the Indian freedom movement from the days of the first war of Independence.

Then there is also the model of charakha (spinning wheel) of Mahatma Gandhi and an identical set of uniform worn by Subhash Chandra Bose in his role as the head of Indian National Army.

All this and 24 panels are on display at this five-day exhibition which got underway at the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Hall in the University College here on Thursday.

The event is an attempt by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of India, to showcase various events of Indian independence movement spanning 1857 to 1947.

B.M. Idinabba, former chairman, Kannada Development Authority, inaugurated the exhibition. A symbolic set of Martyr’s Memorial, a wall pasted with portrait of freedom fighters and panels in the form of book also draws the visitors towards it.

Each of the 24 panels, which depict a pictorial representation of a distinct phase in the Indian freedom struggle, has explanations in Hindi, English and Kannada for a visitor to read and understand.

Events depicted on the panels, include Mangal Pandey raising the banner of revolt against use of greased cartridges in the Enfield Gun and subsequent response by the British to the revolt.

The panel arranged in a chronological sequence clock wise ends with historic speech made by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru from the ramparts of the Red Fort proclaiming India’s Independence to the world at the stroke of midnight.

Anniversary

The exhibition also commemorates the 150th anniversary of Indian Independence, 100th birth anniversary of Bhagath Singh and the 60th year of India’s Independence from colonial rule.

Mr. Idinabba says, “It is important to remind our present generation of the history of freedom struggle and also tell them about the sacrifices made by people who participated in the movement. This hard won freedom can not be thrown away.”

Incidentally, this exhibition was inaugurated on August 9, 2007, at the August Kranthi Maidan in Mumbai at a function organised to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Quit India movement.

This exhibition began its journey on October 2 and will traverse to various parts of the country.

The exhibition organised in association with the Dakshina Kannada district administration will be kept open for public viewing from 10 a.m. up to 6 p.m.