Freedom fighters felicitated ahead of Independence Day

New Delhi, Aug 10 : President Pratibha Patil felicitated the country's freedom fighters here late last evening.

The occasion was the 66th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, a deciding phase in India's freedom struggle that finally led to the independence from British rule.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh were also present on the occasion.

Freedom fighters, however, expressed contrasting views on the country's progress since independence.

"I feel sad seeing the situation in the country. The present situation is quite contrary to what we had imagined for the country while walking on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi. Today, we can see corruption everywhere," said

Bajrangi Singh, freedom fighter from Bihar.

"Our country is great. People follow different religions and there are all kinds of people. So, there is bound be some difference of opinion. But, on the whole, our country is on the path of progress. I am satisfied," said Deo Lal Sinha, another freedom fighter.

Mahatma Gandhi, who preached non-violence all his life, had asked his countrymen during the 1942 Quit India Movement to 'do or die' in order to throw out the British.

ANI