Expo to educate people about freedom struggle from February 21

New Delhi: The Department of Archives will host an exhibition at Central Park, Connaught Place from February 21 to 27 to educate people about youth participation during the freedom struggle.

During independence, Mahatma Gandhi called up the students of the country to participate actively in the struggle for freedom, it was informed on the even of the event —with the theme of ‘Swatantrata Sangram Main Delhi Ke Yuva’.

It was informed many freedom fighters used the Delhi University (DU) premises as a hiding place, while other revolutionaries used it as a place to host conferences etc where decisions regarding the freedom movement were taken.

The students engaged in planning and hosting general strikes and demanding the release of the national leaders at Tibbiya College, St  Stephens College, Anglo Arabic School, Indraprastha College, Hindu College among the like.

The Viceregal Lodge, where Bhagat Singh was confined, was the Viceroy’s rambling lodge in the heart of DU houses a number of offices and utilities.

The hostel of Ramjas College, which gave shelter to Chandra Shekhar Azad, the famous link between the freedom struggle and DU is fascinating and intriguing.

Chandra Shekhar Azad took shelter from the British at Ramjas College. Also, St Stephen’s College played a vital role during nationalist movements such as Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements.  

The Hindu College, which was the centre for political debate during the freedom struggle. The students there were quite actively involved in the Quit India Movement. The Hindu College is the only college in the capital to have a Students’ Parliament since 1935.

“Sister Satyawati was an ardent freedom fighter from the capital, who was instrumental in drawing a large number of women from their homes into the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’,” said Sanjay Garg, archivist, Department of Archives. “She combined the zest for national liberation with the cause of freedom for women,” he added.

“She worked in close association with leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Jaiprakash Narayan and Sarojini Naidu. Seeing her zeal, spirit and commitment, Mahatma Gandhi named her Satyawati,” he added

“We have many documents and photographs  among others related to freedom struggle and their connection with the university and its students and staff who took part in the freedom struggle,” Mr Garg also said.

This exhibition will help people connect with the freedom struggle and the glorious past of the country, he added.