Page 38 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy
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validated through these initiatives. The reason for starting these
two newspapers in two different languages was to target different
set of target groups - Kesari for the regional and Marathi
speaking populace; and Mahratta for the non-Marathi speaking
people and the intellectuals from the elite group. “Regarding
the nature of the two papers, it was said that while the ‘Kesari’
thundered, the ‘Mahratta’ argued and persuaded” states the
Mahratta website. It is evident that Tilak used the power of
media to amplify his thoughts and to reach out to the masses
to a large extent. The newspapers expressed the very voice of
India, its growing discontent against the British administration
and stirring national conscience leading to acts of individual and
collective revolt. Lokmanya was imprisoned many times under
sedition charges including a long stint at Mandalay. During his
years in prison, he spent his time reading and writing. He wrote
the famous ‘Geetarahasya’ - his interpretations of few passages
and an analysis of the Karma Yoga from The Bhagavad Gita.
Tilak!!
Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata 36
