Lucknow – On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the historic Kakori Train Action, Congress leaders and workers took out a ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ to mark Kranti Diwas. The march culminated at the Kakori Shaheed Smarak on Hardoi Road, where tributes were paid to the martyrs of India’s freedom struggle.
The event was attended by Avinash Pande, All India Congress Committee General Secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge, as the chief guest, and chaired by Ajay Rai, President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. Among the prominent leaders present were Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the UP Assembly, Dheeraj Gurjar, National Secretary and Co-incharge, senior leader Nasimuddin Siddiqui, and Bhavannath Paswan, National President of Ambedkar Rashtriya Ekta Manch.
Led by Pande and Rai, thousands of Congress workers carrying placards and the tricolour raised patriotic slogans as they reached the memorial, where floral tributes were offered to Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri.
Speaking on the occasion, Avinash Pande said, “The nation will forever remain indebted to the martyrs who sacrificed everything for its freedom. August is a month of revolution — in 1942, during this very month, the Quit India Movement’s clarion call echoed across the country.”
Ajay Rai paid heartfelt tributes, urging the youth to emulate the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism shown by the revolutionaries. Aradhana Mishra highlighted that it was the struggle of these martyrs that not only freed India from colonial rule but also bound the country together as one.
The programme was coordinated by Mohd. Hanif Khan, who welcomed guests and thanked all participants. On this occasion, mango saplings were planted by dignitaries to promote environmental awareness.
Tribute to Durga Bhabhi
Earlier in the day, Congress leaders visited the statue of legendary revolutionary Durga Devi Vohra (‘Durga Bhabhi’) at the Lucknow Montessori School, founded by her at Purana Qila. The leaders, including Avinash Pande, Ajay Rai, and Aradhana Mishra, paid floral tributes and expressed gratitude for her contributions to the freedom struggle. The Congress Seva Dal, led by Dr. Pramod Pandey, presented a Guard of Honour to Durga Bhabhi.
Leaders also toured the building that once housed the Freedom Struggle Research Centre, where Durga Bhabhi lived, and assured efforts to restore the now dilapidated structure.
The event saw the participation of several senior Congress leaders, former ministers, office-bearers, Seva Dal members, NSUI leaders, and hundreds of party workers from Lucknow and surrounding districts.
