During the long period of public life I met a large number of people with different ideologies and philosophies. Pt. Sheel Bhadra Yajee a character of ideal is rare in our society. He knew only to give and not to take. His contribution in the freedom struggle is full of thrills and inspiring. He was the only civilian put to court marshal in Red Fort ( Delhi) by the British Ruler and the torture inflicted on him came to an end when Mahatma Gandhi intervened. During the freedom struggle he shoulders the heavy responsibility of Indian Forward Bloc after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose went abroad during the Second World War. As close associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, advocated the ideology and views of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to the people about the attainment of the freedom of the country through violent or non-violent means remaining underground. The British Government declared a sum of Rs. 25,000/- of giving clue of Sheel Bhadra Yajee either dead or alive.After Independece Yajeeji led an active life as he led during the struggle period of Independence.
He organised the All India Freedom Fighters Organisation throughout the country and to fight against the communal and sectarian forces who were raising ugly heads and also for the establishment of socialism. He was successful in persuading Smt. Indira Gandhi, the than Prime Minister of India, to sanction the freedom fighters pension on the eve of silver jubilee celebration of Independence, later on, he persuaded Sh. Rajiv Gandhi to enhance the pension from Rs.300/- to 1,000 /- per month and Sh. P.V. Narasimha Rao from Rs. 1,000 /- to 1,500 /- per month and also make available the facility of free travel in Ist Class/2AC by train, by bus in various state’s roadways, and free medical aid.
A dozen of freedom fighters use to meet him and my self in 7, Jantar Mantar and both of us were regular daily visitors of Central Hall of Parliament. Whenever I need an address of our colleagues, he could sharply give the house number, lane, phone number and even he did say the distance from the Railway Station or from Airport. Yajeeji’s memory was so sharp that I like to call him the encyclopedia and a moving dictionary.
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