On the 17th of February, Nitin Gadkari Pays Homage to Indian independence activist “Vasudev Balwant Phadke” on his death anniversary.
Vasudev Balwant Phadke also known as the ‘Father Of Indian Armed Rebellion’ was born on November 4, 1845, in a small village called Shind, near Panvel in Maharashtra. His father, Balwant Phadke, was a small landowner who lived a modest life.
Vasudev’s mother died when he was just nine years old, leaving him and his siblings in the care of his father. Vasudev was an intelligent and curious child who loved to read books and learn new things. He was deeply influenced by his father, who instilled in him a sense of social justice and a passion for fighting for the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Vasudev Balwant Phadke received his early education at the local school in Shind. Later, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) to continue his studies. He studied at Elphinstone College in Bombay and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Arts. During his college days, he was exposed to the ideas of social reformers like Jyotiba Phule and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, which had a profound impact on his political beliefs.
Vasudev Balwant Phadke was deeply influenced by the social and political conditions of his time. The British Raj was at its peak, and India was suffering under its oppressive policies. Phadke believed that the only way to liberate India from British rule was through armed struggle. He was convinced that non-violent methods would not work against the British, who had a powerful military and were unwilling to listen to the demands of the Indian people.
Phadke’s first brush with activism came when he was working as a teacher in Ratnagiri. He started a school for the children of the local farmers and became involved in the farmers’ struggle for better wages and working conditions. He organized strikes and protests and soon became a popular leader among the local people.
