Vasant Gurjar (Bondre) to be honored at Rashtrapati Bhavan
On 9th August, on the occasion of ‘Kranti Divas’, president Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan would honor freedom fighters from various parts of the country for their contribution in liberating the nation and this time Vasant Vasudev Gurjar (Bondre) aged 99 who will step into his 100th year would be attending the same at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was invited last year as well but he could not make it. But this year he is all geared up to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Coincidentally August 9 is his birthday and hence on that day he would be stepping into his 100th year. At the age of 57 he completed his SSLC from Sardars school.
Vasantrao who left school early joined the freedom struggle at a very young age and he was even arrested for three times. He later joined the Congress took active part in the various activities. He had picketed liquor shops and then was imprisoned for a month for selling salt. He then had to shift to Gandhi Asharm at Hudli as his father refused to take him home, where he stayed for a couple of years. After death of his father in 1934 he commenced a small handloom factory. During the quit India Movement he was again imprisoned for 8 months.
Vasantrao Gurjar was the pioneer in establishing the Karhade Brahmin Sangh in the city and still works with his education foundation.
The President of India has been hosting ‘At home’ function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan since 2003 to mark the anniversary of the Quit India Movement on August 9 of every year in honour of freedom fighters.