Kanaklata Barua

Dhariya-The Indian Freedom Struggle threw up many leaders

such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Abul Kalam Azad and
Jawaharlal Nehru. However, there were a number of other
unsung heroes who fought and gave up their lives for
freedom. One such hero is Kanaklata Barua from Assam. This
is her story retold by the children for the children.

Pavani-It was the 1940s. India’s Freedom Struggle was at its peak. Young
Indians especially were getting impatient. They wanted to be rid of the
British rule as soon as possible. A band of youngsters in Gohpur, Assam,
had formed the Mrityu Bahini, a group determined to lay down their lives
for the nation.

Demira-On August 8, 1942, the youngsters were excited. Mahatma Gandhi

was expected to announce an action plan. It would take a day or two for
news to reach them. The very next day they heard that Gandhiji and several
other leaders had been arrested by the police. All the public gatherings
were banned.

Mahatma Gandhi’s message

Baani- “But what did the Mahatma say? What does he want us to do?”
asked Mukunda Kakati, an activist of the Mrityu Bahini. They had no clue as
the government had ordered newspapers not to carry reports of Gandhiji’s
speech.

Anay-Fortunately, those who attended the meeting, had noted what

Gandhiji had said. They made several copies of his speech and secretly sent
it to all parts of the country. One such copy reached Gohpur. A young lady
came running, clutching a piece of paper.

Avyansh-Kanaklata Barua, another activist of the group, snatched the

crumpled paper, and read out, as her comrades listened with rapt
attention. 
Arjun-The note said that Gandhiji had asked the British to Quit India, and
then given his countrymen a simple message. “This is the mantra Mahatma
has given us,” announced Kanaklata, “He wants us to carry it on our hearts.
The mantra is: Do or Die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt.
We shall not live to see the continuation of our slavery.”

Dev-Mukunda Kakoti shouted. “We are free. We don’t need anyone to give
us freedom. We give freedom unto ourselves. We are free.”Kanaklata
added, “The British will no longer order us. We refuse to accept them as our
Masters.”

Kaira.s-The youngsters clinched their fist. There was fire in their eyes. They
said resolutely, in one voice, “Yes. We shall free India. If we have to pay with
our lives, so be it.”A youngster chipped in, “If we are free, why do we see
the British flag flying in Gohpur?”“Let’s set it right. We shall fly our national
flag, the Tricolour, in its place,” said Kanaklata.

A daring plan

Aarav Chopra-On 20 September 1942, the Bahini decided to hoist the

national flag at the local police station. In the morning, a band of young
freedom fighters took out a procession, shouting, ‘Vande Mataram,’ and
‘Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai’. The group was led by Kanaklata and they made
their way to the police station.

Aarav Gupta-The procession was soon stopped by the police. Ignoring

them, Kanaklata walked on. “One more step, and I’ll shoot,” warned a police
official.

Manya-Kanaklata responded by shouting, “Vande Mataram.” Her comrades

joined her in chanting the freedom mantra, “Karo ya maro (Do or die)”.The
police shot at Kanaklata. Even as she fell, Kanaklata held the national flag
high.
Johan-As Kanaklata’s grip weakened, the national flag slid from her hand.
Mukunda Kakati rushed forward and took the flag from her. He stepped
towards the police station. The police fired at Mukunda.

Hiya-As Mukunda fell, a group of young freedom fighters took the flag to
the top of the building and hoisted the national flag.Even as Kanaklata and
Mukunda Kakati closed their eyes, never to open them again, they smiled
watching the Tricolour flying high.  

Viaan-India’s golden moment had arrived. Freedom was not far off.

Kaira.A-This was Kanaklata’s story and she helped India in getting

freedom. But what does freedom mean? Why were we not free during
British rule?

Freedom- A word everyone seems to be using these days. But what does it
actually mean? A lion in a cage is free or a lion in a jungle? Lion who is free
to roam in the jungle and is free to choose his food and hunt himself is
free. Being in the jungle is freedom for the lion.

Anaira-Same way, we were not free during Britisher’s rule to eat, live and
sleep. Our National leaders and Freedom fighters fought against them and
were able to set us free and give us freedom. Thanks to all the freedom
fighters.

Video-Ishanvi

Rudransh-Liking what you do is happiness, Doing what you like is freedom.

Now, let’s listen to a poem by Viaan, dedicated to the freedom fighters.

Viaan-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8h7d0y1OA
 Vaanya

Bhavya- Rhyme

Dance- by all waving of National Flag

Quiz-Aarav Lohia

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