Page 45 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy
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tiLak aS viSionary
and founder
of induStrieS in
maharaShtra
Dr. Kamlakar Parchure
Tilak is known and recognised as the ‘Father of Indian
Unrest’ (Valentine/Chirol Judgment). Mahatma Gandhi
called him ‘Maker of Modern India’. He was an active leader
of Indian National Congress from 1890 to his death in August
1920; the pioneer and architect of Nationalist Education i.e.,
education should be done by India’s own missionary teachers,
who are expected to provide education for inculcating the
patriotic spirit, self-assertion and pride, respect for own religion,
culture, customs, and traditions. In short, it must be free from
the shackles of inferiority complex, deliberately engineered by
the British missionary teachers.
Tilak gave the mantra of ‘Swaraj’ (self-rule), Swadeshi
(patronage to our own Indian producers, manufacturers, and
artisans), ‘Rashtriya Shikshan’ and Boycott (bahishkar) on
foreign goods and services. Tilak by giving his own defence in
the sedition cases of the British Raj Court, stated “Swaraj is my
birthright, and I shall have it!”. There is no need for begging or
appealing. It happens to be a natural right of every citizen of
India to command political freedom.
43 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata
