Saturday, 20 May 2023 | PNS | BAGESHWAR
Considered to be the last living freedom fighter in Bageshwar district, Ram Singh Chauhan passed away at the age of 101 years on Saturday. He had served with the Azad Hind Fauj. His health had deteriorated a few days ago while working in the field. His son Girish Singh had brought him to the district hospital. His health was said to be improving after treatment, but he died on Saturday morning. The residents of the district have expressed grief at the death of the veteran freedom fighter.
A resident of Pasatoli in Garud Tehsil of the district, Chauhan had served with the Azad Hind Fauj. He had joined the army raised by Subhas Chandra Bose during his posting in the Garhwal Rifles. He had actively participated in the national freedom struggle along with Bose.
Born on February 22, 1922, Chauhan came from an army background as his father Tara Singh had served with the Garhwal Rifles at Pauri during 1940. His father had also fought in World War I. Following his father’s footsteps, he got recruited in the Garhwal Rifles. However, during the freedom movement, he was inspired by Bose to join the Azad Hind Fauj in the year 1942 along with some of his comrades. He fought along with other Azad Hind Fauj soldiers in Malaya, Singapore and Burma against the British colonial rulers. He was also jailed on some occasions but that did not deter his patriotic fervour. In 1972 he was felicitated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
