Katihar (Bihar): Our independence was hard-fought. The British ruled over our lands for a long time. But then, there are heroes, aren't there? There are always heroes. The ones who stand up and fight. Some get the spotlight while some stay in the dark and contribute just as much as the others. This bodes true for India's freedom fighters as well. For those who fought equally hard but never got any share of the limelight, because they simply never cared. Their only focus was seeing an independent India. One of such unsung revolutionary was young Dhruv Kundu from the Purnia district of Bihar, who set the Britisher's teeth on edge.
“Dhruv Kundu was a revolutionary who had the passion and love for the nation and dedicated his life for his country. He had proved that age was no bar for loving your motherland. With valour and calibre, he fought the mighty Britishers fearlessly," said Gautam Verma, chief of Dhruv Kundu Smarak Nirman Movement.
Dhruv Kundu was an unsung hero of India's Freedom Struggle. In 1942, he joined Mahatma Gandhi's 'Quit India Movement. On August 11, 1942, the revolutionaries set fire to the registrar office and burnt all the documents. A team of freedom fighters demolished the office of the Sub-Registrar of Katihar on August 13, 1942. They uprooted the flags of the British government including the Munsif court and hoisted the Indian tricolour.
"A 13-year-old boy was also equally determined to join the team of fighters. Despite Mukherjee, SDO of Katihar, warning him against going to the spot, Dhruv joined the agitation and took on Britishers," said Bhola Nath Alok, a historian.
His courage rattled the British forces and they opened fire at Dhruv. One bullet crossed Dhruv's thigh, injuring him badly. He was rushed to Purnia Sadar Hospital for treatment, but on the morning of August 15, 1942, he succumbed to his injuries. Dhruv Kundu is one of the youngest freedom fighters, who sacrificed his life for his motherland.
