Lala Lajpat Rai (28th January 1865 – 17th November 1928)
Nation remembered Shri Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as Punjab Kesari, on his 96th death anniversary, today.
Early life:
- Born in Dhudike, Punjab, he became a lawyer and co-founded the Hisar Bar Council.
Contribution
- He was one of the three members of the Lal Bal Pal trio (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal).
- Established ‘The People’ journal and contributed to ‘The Tribune’ newspaper.
- Authored several books, including biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Swami Dayanand.
- Helped Mahatma Hansraj establish nationalistic Dayananda Anglo-Vedic School, Lahore.
- In 1916,he founded the "Indian Home Rule League of America" in New York to support the Home Rule Movement in India
- In 1921, he founded ‘Servants of the People Society.
- He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in the Calcutta Special Session of 1920.
- When the Simon Commission visited Lahore on 30 October, 1928, he led a non-violent march in protest against it.
- He died of severe head injuries he sustained due to police lathi charge
Values
- Honesty, spirit of independence, virtues of charity and devotion, etc.