Doc depicting first freedom fighters of India

Barrackpore, Aug 12: The Barrackpore Cantonment Board (BCB) here has paid a befitting tribute to the first fighters of the Indian freedom struggle as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of India's Independence.

The BCB - the oldest cantonment board in India - produced a documentary movie depicting the history of Barrackpore and highlighting the great Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 that inspired the whole nation to fight against the British.

On the eve of the 60th Anniversary of India's Independence, the BCB released the 37-minute documentary and handed over a copy of the DVD to Bengal Youth and Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty yesterday.

A premiere show of the documentary titled ''Banhishikha - Swadhinatar Prekshapate Barrackpore'' (Banhishikha - Barrackpore in the perspective of Independence) in Bengali was screened amidst huge applause.

The documentary depicted the glorious history of the First War of Indian Independence that was initiated through opening of the musket by Sepoy Mangal Pandey at the Amy Brigade against British Sergeant Major Hewson and Adjutant Lt B H Baugh of his 34th Regiment of Native Infantry on March 29, 1857. Thereafter, the valiant soldier Mangal Pandey and his associate Jamadar Iswari Pandey were sent to the gallows on April 8 and 14, 1857, respectively.

The documentary also depicted the role of many great personalities of this historic town, who sacrificed their lives for the country. However, their contributions, the heritage and historical importance of the cantonment and the town had not drawn the attention of the present generation so far.

''Banhishikha'' also narrated the tale of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, as well as Rashtraguru Surendra Nath Banerjee, who had lived in his Manirampur house here for many years.

Besides, the documentary highlighted the history of another rebellion that had rocked the cantonment in 1824 under the leadership of Bindee Tewaree, who was also sent to the gallows in November that year. Several monuments of Barrackpore were also depicted in the documentary.

Station Commander and president of the BCB Brig Bobby Mathews and MP from Barrackpore Taritbaran Topdar, among others, witnessed the premiere show.

UNI