The places associated with India's freedom struggle are often confined to history textbooks, but they are far from the idealised notions we carry about them. In the book, 'In Pursuit of Freedom - Travels across Patriotic Lands', author Pradeep Damodaran embarks on a journey through these historic sites, revealing a country in flux.
Through vivid portrayals of contemporary India, Damodaran juxtaposes the present with the historic significance of these locations. During his year-long travels, he interacts with locals and uncovers a nation that is both contradictory and inspiring. His journalistic rigour shines as he finds compelling people to tell the stories of these places. As Damodaran himself says, he "used travel writing as a tool to explore the idea of freedom, recording my observations and conversations with the people I encountered along the way."
The book is divided into four sections. The first explores Gandhi’s enduring relevance as Damodaran travels through Sabarmati, Godhra, Dandi, and Dharampur. The second takes readers to the Hindi heartland, from Jhansi to Unnao and Gorakhpur to Motihari. The third section unearths forgotten narratives of the freedom struggle that helped shape the India we know today. The final section dives deep into the origins of dissent in the south, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where people’s resistance movements took root.
Damodaran observes with empathy, painting a vivid picture for readers, leaving them with haunting images and probing questions. It’s a journey of discovery for those who may never visit these places while encouraging readers to seek out the stories behind the historic monuments.
In Gujarat, his observations at Sabarmati Ashram raise questions about how Gandhi is perceived by younger generations. He notes that many visitors left disrespectful and abusive comments in the visitors' register. When the author posed this to Atul Pandya, the ashram’s director, Pandya remarked that Gandhi fought for the very freedom that allows people to criticize him openly. "Let them try and openly criticise today’s leaders and see if they can get away with it," he quips.
Throughout the book, Damodaran intertwines the contemporary setting of these places with their historical past, highlighting societal fissures that remain post-riots, allowing readers to judge whether healing has taken place. His encounters with locals, like Niranjana Ben in Bardoli and a young boy, Gulab, in Dharampur, reassure readers that Gandhi’s relevance endures.
Damodaran’s visit to Bilga village in Jalandhar exposes the obsession with migration in Punjab’s Doaba region. He meets the family of Ghadarite Bhagat Singh Bilga and asks Kulbir Singh, Bilga’s son, whether the revolutionary spirit of their forefathers has left with those seeking fortunes abroad. Kulbir responds, "Bilga is no longer a village for us, it's a state of mind. Wherever we go, we take Bilga with us," as he recounts his involvement in farmers' protests both in India and abroad.
When the journey takes Damodaran to Jhansi, the stark contrast between the legendary Rani of Jhansi and the current state of rural governance becomes evident. The author encounters "pradhan-patis," men who unofficially take on the role of village sarpanch, as elected women remain confined to their homes.
In Chauri Chaura, he discovers that the government still pays pensions to the families of both the freedom fighters and the policemen killed during the infamous 1922 incident in Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. However, the families of the policemen, derisively called "angrez ke naukar" (servants of the British), are viewed with disdain.
The book’s final section highlights Damodaran's interactions with activists SP Udayakumar and Prof. Fatima Babu, who led movements against a nuclear plant and a copper plant in Tamil Nadu.
'In Pursuit of Freedom' also lays bare the stark realities of modern Indian society. Damodaran captures the spirit of change agents—ordinary people striving for progress against a backdrop of historical significance.
This book is an engaging exploration of India’s diverse mindsets, blending personal stories with historical insights. It invites readers to ponder the complexities of freedom and identity in a rapidly evolving nation.
*Published by HarperCollins
*344 pages, Rs 699
