forgotten heroes

From the man who swam across oceans of five continents in a year to the first captain of the Indian football team, on #NationalSportsDay, we salute 7 forgotten heroes who overcame major hurdles to bring glory to India.

Parbati Giri was just 16 when she fought the British Raj at the forefront of the Quit India. And she didn't stop serving her country even after Independence, going on to become a guardian angel for orphans and destitute people. #ForgottenHeroes #IndianIndependence

Somehow, history tends to forget its heroines, their faces are forgotten, and their bravery remains unsung. Gulab Kaur is one such heroine, a woman whose exceptional courage and sacrifice deserve to be remembered by the country she fought for.

We salute “Cartoos Sahib,’ whose fearlessness and commitment to duty is not just legendary but also unparalleled in the history of the Indian armed forces.

If you have wandered through the city’s corridors of power, you are no stranger to the life-size bronze statues of seven men. Dressed in dhoti-kurtas with the quintessential Gandhi topi (cap), the statues face the Old Patna Secretariat, a symbol of the event that transpired 76 years ago.

Abadi Bano Begum, who later came to be known in Indian history as 'Bi Amma' was one of the important voices of the freedom struggle. At the time, she was one of the first Muslim women to participate in politics actively.

Congress Radio functioned for just about 88 days during three occasions, igniting the dwindling spirits of the freedom movement.

Also known as Kerala Simham, the 18th-century warrior king continues to remain a revered hero in the state who fought for his citizens and didn’t bow down to the British until his last breath.

When most women were denied basic rights and preferred to stay within the four walls of their homes, she paid heed to Gandhi’s call for protests and mobilised other women to carry out demonstrations during the Quit India Movement.

Despite the bullet burning a hole in his chest, he did not let the pain overpower his next move. Snatching the rifle from the militant, the Major shot him dead. Even as he felt his own demise near, he continued to shout orders and command his soldiers.