CHAKRATA/DEHRADUN: May 3 – On the 80th death anniversary of Veer Kesari Chand, political leaders and social organizations across Uttarakhand paid heartfelt tributes to the young tribal hero from Jaunsar-Bawar, who sacrificed his life for India's independence at just 24.
Kesari Chand, a native of Kyara village in Chakrata, joined the Indian National Army (INA) under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Inspired by the dream of a free India, he fought valiantly in the Imphal campaign before being captured by the British.
Following a court-martial at the Red Fort, he was hanged on May 3, 1945, in Delhi Jail, becoming a martyr for the motherland.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while paying tribute, said, “Kesari Chand's supreme sacrifice is a glowing chapter in Uttarakhand’s freedom struggle.
Our government is committed to the welfare of freedom fighters’ families and preserving their legacy.”
Remembering his contribution, the Jaunsar Mahasabha organized a memorial function in Dehradun. Speakers demanded that Kesari Chand’s story be included in school textbooks and that a statue be installed in Chakrata to honour his memory.
Munna Rana, President of the Mahasabha, said, “Despite being a tribal freedom fighter, Kesari Chand remains unsung in history books. It is time the state gives him his due.”
The people of Jaunsar-Bawar, a tribal belt known for its rich culture and warrior spirit, take pride in Kesari Chand’s martyrdom.
Every year, thousands gather at Ram Tal Garden near Chakrata, where a fair is held in his memory.
As the state celebrates 25 years of its formation, voices are growing louder to bring local heroes like Kesari Chand into the mainstream narrative of India's freedom struggle — reminding the nation that even the remotest corners had sons who laid down their lives for independence.