Modi first-ever PM to visit Chandrashekar Azad's village

BJP government in Madhya Pradesh changed the name of Bhabhra town to "Chandrashekhar Azad Nagar". Azad was a revolutionary leader who participated in the freedom struggle. He was on the forefront in the non-cooperation movement. Azad later switched to a revolutionary path to fight against the British Raj.

Narendra Modi will be the first Prime Minister to visit the birthplace of revolutionary leader Chandrashekhar Azad at Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district, where he is to launch a programme to commemorate the sacrifices of freedom fighters on Quit India Day today.

"Since 1947, when the country got Independence, no prime minister has visited the birthplace of Azad and Modi is the first one to reach there," Indore Divisional Commissioner, Sanjay Dube said.

Modi will launch the campaign "70 saal Azaadi, Yaad karo Qurbani" aimed at strengthening nationalistic fervour. After paying floral tributes at Azad's birthplace, he will address a meeting at Jothrada village, about 10 km away from Bhabhra.

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has changed the name of Bhabhra to "Chandrashekhar Azad Nagar" in memory of the revolutionary leader. The house where he was born on July 23, 1906, was developed into a memorial and named as "Azaad Smriti Mandir." A small museum also exists at the place which showcases his life.

Azad, who plunged into freedom struggle at a very young age by joining the non-cooperation movement, later chose the revolutionary path to fight the British rule.

"August 9 is a historic day in India's freedom struggle as it reminds us of the sacrifices made by the revolutionary leaders," BJP state general secretary Arvind Bhadoria said.

"It is a matter of happiness that the Prime Minister is launching the campaign from the birthplace of Azad, Bhabhra, in Alirajpur district," he said.

Under the campaign from August 9 to 14, Union ministers will visit places associated with freedom struggle, especially the birth places of martyred leaders.

"Nearly two lakh people, mostly tribals are expected to take part in the meeting to be addressed by the Prime Minister," Bhadoria said. Besides, from August 16-22 various programmes in the memory of freedom struggle such as Tiranga Yatra, candle march and Rakshabandhan festival, would be organised.

Meanwhile, Congress MP from Ratlam-Jhabua, Kantilal Bhuria alleged that the BJP has given it a saffron colour to the programme by overlooking Congress' contribution to the freedom struggle.