Dhamnagar: Ramahari Goswami, a freedom fighter of Dhusuri in Bhadrak, was 17 when he joined the Quit India movement August 26, 1942 in Dhusuri area. He quit Class X studies halfway and joined hundreds of people agitating against British police under the banner of Banar Sena.
Police had abortively tried to scare the freedom fighters by resorting to blank firing. Then, police resorted to repressive measures against them.
He was born to Krushnachandra Goswami and Sachi Devi at Suryapur in 1926. He grew up among freedom fighters and in an atmosphere fully loaded against the British Raj. His participation in the freedom struggle began with arson at the Bhandaripokhari police station. He was the target of British police as he was among those who declared Dhusuri free from British rule.
At that time, the police had shot down 48 freedom fighters at Lunia, Iram, Chasakhand, Tudigadia and Charibatia. Goswami now feels proud of being associated with freedom fighters like Baishnab Charan Nayak, Muralidhar Jena, Muralidhar Panda, Sagar Bhuyan, Nabakishore Nayak, Krushna Chandra Majhi, Chakradhar Behera and Gananath Padhi.
He was sent to the Balasore jail for five months in 1942 and then three months in 1943. He was honoured by Presidents twice – first in 2014 and then in 2018. He said that he was happy for baring his heart before the Prime Minister and the President.
However, he feels the administration in the country is lax and wishes the country progress further in various fields.
PNN
