Mahatma Gandhi visited Haryana 19 times

The Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi visited Haryana 19 times during the freedom struggle. This was stated by the Governor of Haryana Dr AR Kidwai while inaugurating Seminar on 'Freedom Struggle in Haryana, 1857-1947'. The seminar was organized by Department of Archives in Collaboration with Centre for Studies of Haryana History, Culture and Social Development of Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA). The Governor also inaugurated an exhibition in HIPA Complex in which rare documents from India's freedom movement were displayed. Highlighting the contribution of Haryana in the freedom struggle, Dr Kidwai said that in 1803 when Delhi surrendered before the Britishers, people of Haryana took the lead and did not stop revolting. He said that the first war of independence actually started in Ambala of Haryana on 4 May 1857, that is, before Meerut where the revolution initiated on 10th May 1857. He said that Haryana played a significant role in this movement and people of Rohtak, Panipat along with this entire region made great sacrifices. The history is full of heroic deeds of people from Haryana and this rich background make the people here feel proud of. Dr Kidwai lauded the good work done by department of Archives and hoped that the contribution of Haryanavi's in freedom movement would be brought out not only on documents but also be put on the website so that anybody can see it in any part of the world. He said that even private documents with families should also be preserved. The families can keep those documents with them but a copy of that should be given to Department of Archives. He said that one third of Haryana is considered part of National Capital Region (NCR) so it has to play an important role in development of economy of the country. Dr Kidwai underlined the economic development of Haryana and said that Gurgaon has emerged as 2nd largest software generating center next to Bangalore in India. He said that not only in the field of information technology and industrialization, Haryana has excelled in agriculture also and contributed 80 per cent of rice exported from India. With rich cultural heritage and contribution by Haryana in shaping great future of the country, Dr Kidwai hoped that this leadership would continue. Earlier, Minister of state for Archives Meena Mandal told that the aim of exhibition was to preserve the national property in shape of valuable documents. She said that the archives documents were used as testimonial for proving the truthfullness of historical facts. The documents are also helpful in writing history. She said that these archives documents also provide help in political, social, economic and religious analysis of the past activities. She told that the documents were laminated and preserved for 500 years. She also appealed the people to submit old valuable documents with Archives Department so that those can be preserved for future generations. Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Archives Department RR Fulia welcomed the guests and told about the activities under taken by the department. Prof. VN Datta, a well known historian delivered the key note address in which he told about Haryana's contribution in the freedom movement. Director HIPA Rajni Sekhri Sibal proposed vote of thanks and Rajmani from National Archives made presentation on Haryana's freedom Struggle. Prof. KC Yadav deliberated on freedom movement in Haryana, Prof. R. Tanwar told about the role of press in freedom movement, Prof. Azizuddin, Zakir Hussain, Dr MM Juneja and Dr R. Mann also deliberated on various aspects of freedom movement.