New Delhi: Odisha’s tribal freedom fighters have found a place in the third comic book released by the Union Ministry of Culture, featuring 20 stories on India’s tribal freedom fighters.
The stories recall the sacrifices of some of the bravest men and women who inspired their tribes and gave up their lives to fight against the British rule.
Among Odisha’s tribal freedom fighters whose stories have been included in the book are Rendo Manjhi, Chakra Bisoi and Laxman Naik.
Rendo Manjhi and Chakra Bisoi of the Khond tribe objected to the British interfering in their customs. Rendo was caught and hanged, while Chakra became a fugitive and died in hiding.
Laxman Naik, of Bhuyan tribe, was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and campaigned extensively to get tribes to join the freedom movement. The British framed him for the killing of a friend and he was hanged to death.
The book was released to mark Tiranga Utsav celebration in the nation’s capital in the presence of Union ministers Amit Shah, G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Meenakshi Lekhi.
The first ACK comic book was on 20 women unsung heroes and the second one on tales of 15 women elected to the Constituent Assembly.
The books, published in collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), are aimed to create awareness among the youth and children about the supreme sacrifice and patriotism of our lesser known heroes of freedom struggle.
