Lucknow: On the 91st Balidan Diwas of freedom fighter Amar Shaheed Gulab Singh Lodhi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid floral tribute at his statue in Jhandewala Park, Aminabad. On this occasion, the Chief Minister stated, "On August 23, 1935, at the age of just 32, Bharat Mata's great son, Amar Shaheed Gulab Singh Lodhi challenged the British regime and hoisted India's Tricolour in this very park. At that time, the Tricolour was a symbol of freedom. The cowardly British government responded to his courage with bullets, and he laid down his life for the country's independence."
Chief Minister Yogi remarked, "Gulab Singh Lodhi made the supreme sacrifice, but he left behind a golden chapter of freedom for future generations. Merely 12 years after his sacrifice, the country became free from British slavery and attained independence."
CM Yogi said that on this occasion, on behalf of the State Government and the people of Uttar Pradesh, he bows to the sacred memory of the Amar Shaheed. Gulab Singh Lodhi was born in 1903 into a simple farmer's family in Unnao. From childhood, he possessed a passion for the country's freedom. With this spirit, he actively participated in the freedom movement and, after coming to Lucknow, dedicated his life to the country's independence.
The Chief Minister stated, "To keep the memories of Amar Shaheed Gulab Singh Lodhi alive, the State Government has paid tribute to him by naming a park, a health centre and a police training college in Unnao district after him. The Uttar Pradesh Government is committed to keeping alive the sacred memory of all those Amar Balidanis."
A stadium in Aligarh and a new PAC battalion in Badaun have been named after Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi, who sacrificed herself during the First War of Independence in 1857 for India's freedom. The women's battalion of the PAC in Lucknow has been named after Veerangana Uda Devi Pasi. Similarly, the newly established PAC women's battalion in Gorakhpur has been named after Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Kori, and the new medical college in Auraiya has been named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. All these great personalities and Veeranganas had dedicated everything for India's freedom and honour.
The Chief Minister said, "Revolutionaries like Amar Shaheed Gulab Singh Lodhi sacrificed everything to uphold the country's honour, pride and glory. It is the responsibility of the present generation to keep their memories alive." He added that the State Government would continue to advance the programme of constructing memorials to preserve the memories of freedom fighters and Amar Balidanis.
CM Yogi informed that recently the State Government has approved nearly Rs 500 crore in honour of great personalities who dedicated their lives to social justice and the nation. This amount will be used for installing canopies over the statues of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Sadguru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, Maharshi Valmiki Ji Maharaj and other great personalities, as well as for the construction of new parks and works to make them secure. He stated, "This tradition of reverence and respect towards great personalities will continue to move forward."
