Lok Sabha Question No. 83 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-18
Subject: Identification of Forgotten Heroes of Freedom Struggle
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.83

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2022

## IDENTIFICATION OF FORGOTTEN HEROES OF FREEDOM STRUGGLE

83.  ADV.  A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government has taken any steps for identifying the forgotten heroes of freedom struggle as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahothsav and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)   the list of 'Unsung Heroes' of freedom struggle identified at the National Level and from  the  State  of  Kerala  along  with  their  contribution  to  the  freedom  struggle  or political affiliation;
- (c)   whether it is true that freedom fighters who participated in the 'Punnapra-Vayalar' and Kayyur Struggle in Kerala have been excluded from the list of `Unsung Heroes' and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d)   whether the Government intends to include freedom fighters who participated in the `Punnapra¬Vayalar' and Kayyur Struggle in Kerala in the list of `Unsung Heroes'; and
- (e)   if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM, AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  Yes, Sir. As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahothsav (AKAM) celebrations, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India is endeavoring to recall and remember forgotten heroes of our  freedom  struggle,  many  of  whom  might  be  renowned  yet  unknown  to  the  new generation. The aim is to collect and bring forth stories of our Unsung Heroes, which lie as faded memories of the past, to serve as an inspiration and encouragement for the coming  generations.  A  beginning  in  this  direction  has  been  made  by  creating  a dedicated page for the Unsung Heroes on Amrit Mahotsav website (https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes.htm).

Apart  from  inviting  contribution  from  the  public  through  online  platform  such  as  the MyGov (https://www.mygov.in/group-issue/know-any-unsung-heroes-freedomMovement  -tell-us/),  and  from  the  district  administrations  as  part  of  Digital  District Repository  (DDR)  programme,  the  Ministry  of  Culture  has  also  launched  a  special project  to  discover,  document  and  publish  stories  of  Unsung  Heroes  of  our  freedom struggle  from  across  the  country.  For  this  purpose  leading  historians  have  been engaged  in  every  State/  Union  Territory  of  India  to  research  and  contribute  stories pertaining to Unsung Heroes of their respective State/ UT. As a result many heroes are being identified and their stories are being hosted on the AKAM website.

- (b)    The  stories  of  Unsung  Heroes,  including  stories  of  Unsung  Heroes  from  Kerala, have been uploaded on AKAM website.

(https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes.htm).

- (c)  No, Sir.
- (d)    Yes,  Sir.  In  fact  both  these  Movements  have  also  been  listed  in  the  List  of Movements Recognized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for Grant of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension.
- (e)   Not Applicable in view of (d) above.