Colonel Nizamuddin, Netaji’s trusted friend, dies at 117

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's trusted driver and bodyguard, Colonel Nizamuddin, died in his native village in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

Lucknow, Feb 7: Not many have heard about Colonel Nizamuddin, one of the many foot-soldiers from Indian freedom struggle, who died as an unsung hero on Monday morning. On Tuesday, media reports say Nizamuddin died at the age of 117 in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

He was the trusted driver and bodyguard of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Nizamuddin was the same man who took three bullets to save Netaji in the forests of Burma, according to a report published by The Telegraph.

His struggle was not limited in fighting for the country's independence. The Telegraph report adds that after the freedom struggle veteran returned from Myanmar (Burma) to India, for several decades, till he breathed his last, Nizamuddin fought to get his dues.

"Koi pension jo freedom fighters ko milta hai, ya phir ek tamga hi sahi (a pension that is given to a freedom fighter, or even a medal would make me happy)," he had told The Telegraph in June last year.

Even when he died, the news was not flashed in any of the television channels. In fact, only on Tuesday morning people came to know about his demise and his great contributions towards India's freedom struggle.

Born in 1901, Nizamuddin is survived by his wife Ajbul Nisha, three sons and two daughters. His youngest son Sheikh Akram was by his side when the end came in the early hours today. Nizamuddin, who had served in the Indian National Army from 1943-45, had proclaimed himself as one of the most trusted lieutenants of Netaji, states a PTI report.

OneIndia salutes the hero, who unfortunately did not get his dues.

OneIndia News