Socio Cultural Program to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru

The Ghadar Heritage Organization, Canada, along with the Desh Bhagat Sports and Cultural Society organized a beautiful socio-cultural program in Toronto, Canada, to mark the 76 th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in the birth centenary year of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Over 500 people attended this program, in which dramas, skits, songs, poems and a choreography depicting the life of Bhagat Singh and his comrades were presented.

The function began with a welcome address by Comrade Gurdev, who pointed out "we have gathered here to commemorate the sacrifices of our martyrs, and we should learn lessons from their struggle and sacrifice". The struggle to realize the dreams of the martyrs is still on, he said.

Comrade Kulwinder gave a brief description of the program. He explained the reason why Ghadar Heritage Organisation was organising such programs — so that the Indian youth resident in North America learn from the revolutionary heritage and make it their mission to contribute to the democratic renewal of India and Cananda.

A song written by Sant Ram Udasi and two songs paying homage to our martyrs were presented. Danash read a poem entitled “Punjab Kaur -‘Panjo’”, in which he described how people's lives and livelihoods were destroyed after the 1947 massacre, and how people living peacefully were turned into destitute, impoverished and hopeless individuals. Next a skit entitled “Karobar” was played, in which the daily lives of our people abroad was dramatized. It also showed how our people come abroad with the hope of becoming rich, but when they are faced with problems like unemployment, and their children face socio cultural conflicts, and so on, they realize that this society is riddled with problems.

Brilliant choreographies depicting the lives of our martyrs and people was presented by the children from the Gurukul Art Academy, which won wide acclaim from those attending the program.

Varyam Sandhu gave a very convincing account on how one should seriously understand what Bhagat Singh and his comrades stood for. He said for our people it does not matter what conviction or religion they believe in, but that they must have the same head and heart as Bhagat Singh. It is very easy for people to pretend and claim that they do so, but people must grasp the ideology and aspirations that Bhagat Singh and his companions stood for. He emphasized that our people who have the habit of not reading various literary work must seriously devote their time to do so.

Comrade Iqbal narrated how Ghadar Heritage Organization came into being when our people were facing racist attacks, and that we are still facing similar situations. He asked our media, besides reporting on negative aspects about what is happening in India and abroad, to also report about our peoples’ struggles and achievements.

In the end, the drama “Main Hoon Bhagat Singh” was played. How the people are faced with decimation of their lives, livelihood and properties at the hands of Indian ruling classes, and how the downtrodden and wretched people have great hopes in realizing the dreams that Bhagat Singh and his comrades had, was shown in the play and enormously appreciated by the audience.

People’s Voice hails the organizing of this important socio-cultural function by the Ghadar Heritage Organisation. The response of the community including the youth, reveals that the Indian community resident in Canada, continues to uphold its revolutionary tradition of vigorously supporting the great cause of social revolution in India, in the tradition of the Ghadari babas of the Hindustani Ghadar Party, who, inspired by the Ghadar of 1857, organized and threw themselves into the battle to liberate India from colonial rule a century ago. The tasks of the 1857 Ghadar as well as the Ghadari babas remain incomplete, and it is a matter of joy that the Ghadar Heritage Organisation is committed to fulfilling these unfulfilled tasks.