Message on Gorkha unity on Balidan Diwas today

August 25 is the day freedom fighter Major Durga Malla of the Indian National Army was sent to the gallows by the British in 1944

“The first reason is to promote our unsung heroes. If we don’t have the courtesy to remember them then what is the worth of freedom,” said Sharma. “The second reason is to underscore that all Gorkhas have to come together shedding their differences, whether political, cultural or geographic. It is a message for all politicians, too,” she said.: Shutterstock

Vivek Chhetri   |   TT  |   Darjeeling   |   25.08.21,: Forty-six apolitical organisations from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Bangalore and Gurgaon will come together to mark “Balidan Diwas” on Wednesday to tell politicians and all Gorkhas to stay united at a time political parties in the hills are falling apart at the seams.

Indian Gorkhas across the country mark August 25 as Balidan Diwas, the day freedom fighter Major Durga Malla of the Indian National Army (INA) was sent to the gallows by the British in 1944. Malla’s statue had been unveiled on Parliament premises in 2004.

“Twenty-four apolitical organisations are coming together in Darjeeling, 12 in Kalimpong, three in Bangalore and seven in Gurgaon to mark Balidan Diwas,” said Anjani Sharma Bhujel of the event’s organising committee.

Blood donation camps will be organised at all four places.

Asked about the aim behind bringing together 46 organisations under one platform, Sharma clarified a twin purpose. “The first reason is to promote our unsung heroes. If we don’t have the courtesy to remember them then what is the worth of freedom,” said Sharma. “The second reason is to underscore that all Gorkhas have to come together shedding their differences, whether political, cultural or geographic. It is a message for all politicians, too,” she said.

The organising committee has listed out 20 Gorkhas and their contributions to India’s struggle for independence.

The list includes leaders like Dal Bahadur Giri, who died in prison in 1924 after his anti-British activities in the hills. Mahatma Gandhi on Giri’s death termed it a national loss and wrote an article in his famed weekly journal Young India. Gandhi had also called Giri’s family to Sabarmati Ashram.

“In Darjeeling we will also felicitate the family members of freedom fighters Gaga Tshering Dukpa and Pratiman Singh Lama,” said Sharma.

Gaga Tshering from Sukhiapokhri was a teacher in Sukhiapokhri and Mirik but following his role in the freedom movement, his job was terminated by the Britishers and he was jailed. Pratiman is also credited for being the first India Gorkha novelist with Mahakal Jasoos.

In Darjeeling, apart from the blood donation camp, a run for children and members of Darjeeling Hill Runners association will also be organised. “From 10am, a bike rally led by Darjeeling Enfielders will also start from Ghoom. We plan to start the blood donation camp by 10.30am tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Sharma.

While apolitical organisations are coming together, political parties are disintegrating in the hills.

The Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League is divided into three factions, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha into three, the Gorkha National Liberation Front has also split and some Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) leaders have resigned and are floating a new platform for hill issues.

A similar platform called Hill Youth Forum has also come up. Anit Thapa who is currently heading a faction of the Morcha will float a new party in the first week of September.

(https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/message-on-gorkha-unity-on-balidan-diwas-today/cid/1827858)