Commemoration of Wazir Ram Singh Pathania on His 177th Death Anniversary
Veer Diwas Celebrated at Basa Wazira
Sudhanshu Sharma
Nurpur - The 177th death anniversary of the esteemed freedom fighter Wazir Ram Singh Pathania was honored with a special observance of Veer Diwas at his birthplace, Basa Wazira, on Wednesday. The event featured Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania as the chief guest, alongside notable attendees such as Member of Parliament Rajeev Bhardwaj, Nurpur MLA Ranveer Singh Nikka, former MP Kripal Parmar, and former MLA Ajay Mahajan.
During the ceremony, Kewal Singh Pathania paid floral tributes and expressed that Wazir Ram Singh Pathania represents not just a family or locality but is a vital part of the nation's heritage. He recalled that in 1848, nearly ten years prior to the First War of Independence in 1857, Pathania had initiated a resistance against British colonial rule, igniting the spirit of freedom among the Indian populace.
Pathania emphasized the young warrior's ultimate sacrifice for the nation, showcasing remarkable bravery and patriotism. To ensure his legacy is recognized nationally and passed on to future generations, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution designating him as the first freedom fighter, which has been forwarded to the Central Government for review. He expressed hope that MP Rajeev Bhardwaj would advocate for this matter in Parliament.
Proposal for a Memorial in Nurpur
Kewal Singh Pathania advocated for the establishment of a grand memorial in Nurpur as a fitting tribute to Wazir Ram Singh Pathania. He mentioned plans to discuss this initiative with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to bring the project to fruition. He believes that the freedom fighter's sacrifice will continue to motivate future generations, serving as a lasting example of courage, leadership, and commitment to the nation.
MP Rajeev Bhardwaj characterized Wazir Ram Singh Pathania’s struggle as part of India's larger freedom movement, rather than a localized issue. He noted that challenging British authority at such a young age demonstrated Pathania’s exceptional bravery and patriotism. Bhardwaj assured that the resolution passed by the state assembly would be presented in Parliament to secure national acknowledgment for this hero.
Nurpur MLA Ranveer Singh Nikka remarked that Wazir Ram Singh Pathania’s life epitomizes sacrifice, bravery, and loyalty to the nation. He encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from the freedom fighter’s legacy and contribute to nation-building efforts.
Among the attendees were SP Ilma Afroz, SDM Arun Sharma, DFO Sandeep Kohli, descendants of Wazir Ram Singh Pathania including Rajeshwar Singh, Uday Pathania, and Adhiraj Pathania, INTACH State Convener Malvika Pathania, Youth Congress General Secretary Amit Pathania, former Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Chairman Karnail Singh Rana, along with several other distinguished guests.