The Voice of the Hills - Rani Gaidinliu
Dr Fauzia Khan
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha - Nationalist Congress Party | Member of Standing Committees on Women Empowerment, FC&PD | Former Minister for GAD, Education, Health & WCD Government of Maharashtra
The hills of Manipur and Nagaland were once home to a young girl with a fire in her heart and a dream for her people. Her name was Gaidinliu Pamei, but to her people, she was known as Rani Gaidinliu - a queen of courage and determination.
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At the tender age of 13, Gaidinliu joined the Heraka religious movement led by her cousin Haipou Jadonang. The movement, which aimed to revive the Naga tribal religion and establish self-rule of the Nagas, later turned into a political movement seeking to drive out the British from Manipur and the surrounding Naga areas.
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Within the Heraka faith, Gaidinliu came to be considered an incarnation of the Goddess Cherachamdinliu. She was a young revolutionary who became a flag bearer for tribal revolt against the British.
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But her fight for freedom came at a great cost. At the age of 16, Gaidinliu was arrested by the British rulers and was sentenced to life imprisonment. For 15 long years, she was kept in various prisons across the Northeast, far away from her family and her people.
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Despite the hardship and the cruelty of her captors, Gaidinliu never lost hope. She never gave up on her dream of a free and prosperous Nagaland. Her unwavering spirit and courage inspired many, including India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who met her at Shillong Jail in 1937 and promised to pursue her release.
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领英推荐
Finally, in 1947, India gained its independence, and Gaidinliu was released. But her fight was far from over. She continued to work tirelessly for the betterment of her people, advocating for the ancestral Naga religious practices and resisting the conversion of Nagas to Christianity.
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Her dedication and bravery did not go unnoticed. She was honoured as a freedom fighter and was awarded a Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. Gaidinliu passed away in 1993, but her legacy lives on. She was a young revolutionary who became a symbol of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
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Rani Gaidinliu's story is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and love for one's people and country. She will always be remembered as a queen who stood up against the tyranny of the British and fought for the freedom of her people. Her story will continue to inspire and evoke a sense of patriotism and respect for this great nation.
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Jai Hind!
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