Efforts by journalists to help Tope's family paid off

Kanpur, July 5 (UNI) It was a significant move initiated by some journalists to assist the descendants of Tantya Tope, the martyr of The 1857 Mutiny, that materialised with the great-great-grand daughters of the revolutionist being provided jobs in the Railways.

Several journalists and well-wishers had tried their best to help the family of the descendants who were reeling under abject poverty at Lav-Kush Nagar of Bithur, 30 km away from here. Following this, the Centre ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to present its report on it.

The state goverment also ordered the District Magistrate to probe into the pathetic condition of the family. The inquiry revealed that the government in 1959 had entitled Narayan Rao Tope, the grandson of the leader and a pension of Rs 50, which was later revised to Rs 500. After the death of Narayan, his son Vinayak had requested the government to entitle him the pension amount.

Later, in 1997, he was sanctioned Rs 200 per month on compassionate grounds. Ironically, it is still awaited.

Vinayak had been earning a livelihood from a small 'kirana' shop, opened near their house. The shop sustained them but did not provide enough for the three children to complete their education.

Finally, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad yesterday announced in Delhi that ''Pragati and Tripti'', the two daughters of Vinayakrao have been given employment in Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) in Kanpur.

Mr Vijay Darda, a Rajya Sabha member and owner of Lokmat Group of Newspapers, also announced a financial assistance of Rs five lakh for them.

Company Affairs Minister Premchand Gupta chipped in with an announcement that the house of Tantya Tope at Bithore, 37 km from Kanpur, would be turned into a memorial. A life-size statue of the martyr would also be installed there.

The announcements for providng succour to the family were made at Rail Bhavan, where Vinayakrao Tope, his wife Saraswati Devi, daughters Pragati and Tripti and son Ashutosh were also present.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Badri Narayan Tiwari told UNI that they will write a 'letter of thanks' to the Railway Minister for such a noble deed and invite him to Bithore to honour him.

Earlier, Mr Vinayak had urged Mr Tiwari to request the Central Government to rehabilitate the family of Tantya Tope in view of the recent celebrations of the 150th anniversary of The 1857 Uprising.

Mr Tiwari had asked the Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal, to pay at least Rs 10,000 on compationate grounds to the family of the slain Maratha revolutionist.

Before the matter could be discussed with the Union Government, Mr Yadav took the noble step.

UNI