New Year calendar on freedom struggle released

New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) The new year will find the saga of India's freedom struggle on the walls of many households in the country.

Expressing this wish, Prime Minister today accepted the copy of a 2007 calendar celebrating the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence that took place in 1857.

Each month in the calendar is devoted to some important landmark in the history of the freedom movement by carrying related pictures.

The calendar, designed on the theme of 'From the First War of Independence to Independence' and brought out by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was released by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Parliament House complex here this morning.

On this occasion, Dr Singh sought to sum up the essence of the country's freedom movement through a couplet from famous poet Iqbal: ''Kuch baat hai jo hasti mitee nahin hamari, sadyon raha hai dushman daur-e-jahan hamara.'' (There is something in us that has enabled us to survive despite facing repeated assaults on our existence throughout the history).

He said that India was a unique country which had successfully met the challenge of sustaining a democratic tradition despite its diversity.

''The fact is being recognised as never before in the world today,'' he said.

''Our children should never forget the message of achievement of freedom through non-violence,'' the Prime Minister said.

Social justice, equality before law and removal of poverty were the essence of the message the freedom struggle gave and this message should be impressed upon the new generation through all possible means, he said, adding that the calendar brought out by the Ministry would contribute to this mission.

''It reminds us of the sacrifices we made for the freedom of the country,'' he said.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parlaimentary Affairs Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi announced various projects of his Ministry to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1857 war and centenary of the Satyagraha movement.

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