Hemu Kalani
| Hemu Kalani | |
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 Picture of Hemu Kalani |
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| Born | )23 March 1923 Sukkur, Sindh, British India (now Pakistan) |
| Died | 21 January 1943) (aged 19) |
| Occupation | Revolutionary leader, freedom fighter, political activist |
| Political movement | Indian Independence Movement |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Hemu Kalani (Sindhi: هيمو ڪالاڻي) was a Sindhi revolutionary and freedom fighter during the Indian Independence Movement.
Contents |
Early life
Hemu Kalani was born at Sukkur in Sindh (now in Pakistan) on 23 March 1923. He was the son of Pesumal Kalani and Jethi Bai. As a child and young man he campaigned with his friends for boycotts of foreign goods and tried to persuade people to use Swadeshi goods. He was drawn to revolutionary activities and started participating in acts of protests with the aim of driving out the British. He was involved in raids and in the burning of vehicles belonging to the Raj.
Freedom struggle
Hemu Kalani joined Mahatma Gandhi's Quit India movement when it was started in 1942. Support for the movement in the Sindh province was such that the British rulers had to send special troops consisting of European battalions. Hemu Kalani found out that a railway train of these troops and their supplies would be passing through his local town and decided to derail it by removing the fishplates from the railway track. This despite the fact that neither he nor his colleagues had the necessary tools and so had to use rope as a means to loosen the fixings.
They were seen by the British troops before being able to complete the sabotage. Hemu was caught, imprisoned and tortured in an attempt to get him to reveal the names of his co-conspirators. He refused to divulge any information, was put on trial and sentenced to death. The people of Sindh petitioned the Viceroy for mercy but the condition of granting it was that the authorities must be told the identity of his co-conspirators. He again refused to pass on the information and he was hanged on 21 January 1943.
Legacy
- Ahmedabad City (Gujarat) has erected Statue of Amar Shaheed Shree Hemu Kalani at the Rajavir Circle.
- Indore city has named a road intersection after Hemu Kalani and placed his statue at the centre of the intersection.
- A statue of Hemu Kalani is located in the Parliament complex in front of the Deputy Speaker's office.[1]
- Chembur, a suburb of Mumbai with a large Sindhi population, has Hemu Kalani Marg named after the famous freedom fighter.
- Ulhasnagar, also known as Sindhunagar has erected Statue of Shaheed Hemu Kalani at the crossing of the road (chowk).
- Jodhpur City (Rajasthan) has named a road intersection after Hemu Kalani and placed his statue at the centre of the intersection.
- Ajmer City (Rajasthan) has erected Statue of Shaheed Hemu Kalani at the Diggi Bazar Chowk.
- Ajmer City (Rajasthan) has a locality in Lakhan Kothri called Hemu Kalani Mohalla.
- Delhi City (Lajpat Nagar), located a senior secondary school named Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya.
- Kanpur City, has a park named Hemu Kalani park located in the Sindhi Colony area named after Shaheed Hemu Kalani.
- Kota City, has a community hall Hemu Kalani Samudayik Bhawan located in the Sahjidera area named after Shaheed Hemu Kalani.[2]
Indian Postal Stamp
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| Stamp Issue Date | 18/10/1983 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination | 0.50 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number | 1092 |
| Postal Stamp Name | Hemu Kalani |
| Stamp Information | Hemu Kalani belongs to that rare band of revolutionaries and martyrs whose indomitable spirits broke new resistance, for whom tortures of imprisonment have no meaning and death holds no terror. Hemu Kalani was so happy in his readiness to make the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of his motherland, that he gained weight during the last days which is most unusual for a prisoner condemned to die. While marching to gallows, he consoled his distressed mother by reminding her of her earlier teachings of Gita regarding the indestructibility of soul. So strong was his patriotic zeal that he pledged his next life also to the cause of India's Freedom. Hemu Kalani was born at Sukkur in Sind (now in Pakistan), on 23 March 1923. He was the son of late Shri Pesumal Kalani and Smt. Jethi Bai. HE was brave and patriotic right from his childhood. Ever at the age of 7, he used to leads the boys of his locality with the tri-colour in his hands. Along with his friends, he used to plead for boycotting all foreign goods and used to take an active part in persuading people to use Swadeshi goods. He was soon drawn to revolutionary activities and started participating in acts of terrorism for the sake of driving away the British. He was always leading the raids and in burning of vehicles belonging to the oppressors. In 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi gave the call "Quit India" and the slogan "Do or die", Hemu Kalani also joined the mass movement. There was such active participation from the people of Sind Province in this movement that the British rulers had to send special troops consisting of European battalions. When Hemu Kalani came to know that these troops and the ammunition would be arriving in Sind by a railway train passing through his town, he decided to derail the train by removing the fishplates from the railway track. He and his friends were severely handicapped in not having any tools for loosening the nuts and bolts and for removing the fishplates. Time was also against them. Hemu, however, did not give up. He inspired his friends to loosen the nuts and bolts with the help of indigenous ropes and they started the job. However, before they could complete it, they were seen by the British troops and Hemu, in his effort to save his friends, was caught. He was imprisoned and tortured to give out the names of his friends but he stubbornly refused to divulge any information. He was tried under the then prevailing martial law and sentenced to death. People of Sind petitioned for mercy to the Viceroy but the death sentence was upheld, unless Hemu turned an approver and gave information regarding his fellow revolutionaries. There was no question of Hemu's accepting these conditions and he welcomed the impending death most cheerfully. This young freedom fighter and revolutionary was hung on 21st Jan., 1943. Hemu's is an example of unflinching courage and devotion to his motherland. He participated in Mahatma Gandhi's movements and at the same time, took recourse to terrorist activities also to drive away the foreigners who were keeping India captive. The names of patriots like Hemu Kalani would always be remembered fondly while studying the history of India's freedom struggle. (The above text is based on material published elsewhere and/or supplied by the sponsors). Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative stamp in the memory of this great martyr.[3] |
| Philatelic Stamp | Description of design both the stamp and the first day cover have been designed by India Security Press, Nasik. The cancellation has been designed by Alka Sharma. |
| Stamp Currency | |
| Stamp Type | Commemorative |
| Stamp Language | English |
| Stamp Overall Size | 4.06 x 2.7 |
| Postal Stamp Print Size | 3.71 x 2.3 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet | 40 |
| Stamp Perforations | 13 x 13 |
| Postage Stamp Paper | Unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated paper |
| Indian Stamp Process | Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed | 15,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At | India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color | Multicolour |