India’s great revolts began in the villages: P. Sainath

P. Sainath reveals stories of unsung heroes of India's Freedom Struggle. He interviewed freedom fighters for 20 yrs & compiled them in a book. Former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi released the book, illustrated by 16 artists. It is meant to inspire post-1947 generations & those robbed of their history. Panel discussion followed with journalism students & illustrators. Book is a unique collection of graphic narratives & encourages readers to colour it.

Writer and journalist P. Sainath on Tuesday said all great revolts in India began in villages. The 1857 revolt by jawans began in the cantonments. The Indian jawan is a kisan (farmer) in uniform. That was the essence of the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, he said, detailing the tales of unsung heroes of the Indian Freedom struggle.

Speaking after the launch of his book titled Unknown Heroes of India’s Freedom Struggle, targeting young readers, at the Asian College of Journalism here, he said he was trained in history at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). “The history I learnt at the JNU makes all the difference in me as a journalist. I like the ACJ idea since you need a decent degree in human sciences before doing journalism,” he said.

He has interviewed freedom fighters over a period of 20 years during his travels as a journalist. The book, illustrated by 16 artists, was released by former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Mr. Sainath said all the freedom fighters had a sense of humour and were very diverse, both socially and politically. “What amazed me about these people is that they went on fighting amid their struggles. At Pani Mora, when I went to visit seven of them, five were staging a dharna at a BDO office seeking a phone connection for their village. They were in their 90s and came out fighting for their village,” he said.

On why he wrote such a book, he said: “For the people in it. Their stories deserve to be told. I wrote it for post-1947 generations and a generation robbed of its history.”

Radhika Menon publishing director, Tulika books, which has brought out the book, costing ₹375/copy, with black and white illustrations said it was Mr. Sainath’s first book for young readers and had a unique collection of graphic narratives.