Major Durga Malla
It may be the very first time that many of you are hearing his name. Major Durga Malla was the first Gorkha Soldier among the Indian Gorkhas of the Indian National Army (INA) who dedicated his life to the independence of India.
In 1942, Malla joined
the INA. His skills and dedication to duty earned him the rank of Major and he
was called to work for the INA. While gathering information about the enemy, he
was captured on March 27, 1944 near Kohima. He was sentenced to death by the
court of Trial at Red Fort in New Delhi. However, before the death sentence was
executed, the authorities tried to force him to confess his rebellion. His wife
was brought to the prison cell, but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.
The last words he spoke
to his wife were – ‘The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain. India
will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t
worry, crores of Hindustanis are with you.’
In 1944, Major Durga
Malla was sent to the gallows.
To honour Malla, a
statue donated by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, a national body of the Indian
Gorkhas was unveiled at the Parliament House Complex by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh in 2004. In attendance were Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok
Shabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and other dignitaries. August 25, the day of
his execution, is celebrated as Balidan Diwas by Indians all over the world.
Let us take inspiration
from this great freedom fighter to do something for our country. Jai Hind!
Sanjeevini Sherpa, Class - IX