~Aatreyi Dutta
Kanaklata Barua while fulfilling these very words, kept fighting for India’s independence from the colonial rule till her last breath. She held the National flag in her hand while marching towards the British dominated Gohpur Police Station to hoist it with pride. On her way, she shouted out slogans such as “British imperialists should go back!”
Kanaklata was born on 22nd December, 1924 in Borangbari (Gohpur district) of Assam .Krishna Kanta and Karneshwari Barua gave birth to one of this brave soul and martyr. She was born into a family of hunters. Her mother died when she was five years old and her father you remarried also passed away at the age of thirteen leaving her alone. She schooled herself till third class but dropped out to take care of her younger siblings.
The fight to make British imperialists leave our Nation motivated Indians to get together, unite and act as one. Thousands of lakhs of people made millions of sacrifices. The era ofrebellion against British Colonial rule ignited and provoked souls, giving India the fighters of the nation. Every part, played by the exceedingly brave hearts has ultimately given us the freedom, we are so used to now. The freedom to have a country we can call our own, to do things as we may and to respect what we have has come from the freedom struggle fought years ago for us. This makes us dutiful towards all the souls who have sacrificed their lives for our and this nation’s present.
Amongst such leaders and fighters, Kanaklata Barua volunteered to stand in the front row of the Quiet India Movement in Barangabari ( Gohpur). She joined the death squad (MrityBahini) at the age of 17 to take part in the independence activism. Rebati Mahan Som, the police officer in charge had warned them against the harsh consequences but who could stop them from rebelling?
She was amongst the first women who stood up to fight for the injustices done in our motherland. She was an independence activist, who still inspires and continue to live in the hearts of many. Unknown by many, her sacrifice is humbled and lost in the eras of time we’ve lived and enjoyed. She was also called Birbala and Shaheed because of her bravery. While leading the procession in 1942, she was shot dead by the British Army at the age of 17 during the Quit India movement .
She strived to held up the flag and let it not touch the ground as the British shot her for it. Nevertheless,Kanaklata did not let the flag sweep the ground. She along with Mukunda Kakoti was killed, to save the countries honour without any returns. Such was her love for the country, such was her honoured. She fell onto the ground and gave India, another proud woman we must never forgetThese are the times when we need to think about the privileges we have and our duty towards this nation.
These are the times when we must feel proud of the nation we live in, and remember the sacrifices that have been made for us. Kanaklata and many such forgotten heroes live in our soil. They live in the world we’ve made. They are alive in our dreams and our reality and one must never forget them.
