Basanti Waddedar, Begs job for her son.

Ranaghat Aug. 15: At 105 she still sings the songs which once worked as inspiration to the freedom fighters. However, it could no more stimulate her feeble dying body. Rather somberness embraces her in her dilapidated rented residence in Ranaghat.

She is Basanti Waddedar, one of those who made a contribution to get our country free from the British rule. Nevertheless, left in oblivion almost unrecognized. During the last 60 years she never cried for recognition despite awful poverty. But, unfortunately finding no way and breaking the ‘revolutionary’ commitment for the first time, 105-year-old Basanti Waddedar, elder sister of Pritilata Waddedar (1911 – 1932), first woman martyr from Bengal in freedom struggle, compelled to appeal for a job for his son. The iron woman, who is languishing at a rented house in Ranaghat, would die happily if her wish is fulfilled. Hailed from Chittagong, Basanti was not a known face like her sister Pritilata. She was attached to revolutionary organization Deepali Sangha. Attack on European Institute at Pahartali by Pritilata brought her also to the limelight. A meritorious student Pritilata, on September 24, 1932 attacked the British bustling, which bore the disreputable sign ‘Dogs and Indians not allowed.’ A woman died while 11 other were injured. Pritilata, dressed as a man, chose to end her life by consuming cyanide leaving an example of how women fought for independence. Basanti, who organized youth revolution in Chittagong was assigned to work as a ‘secret messenger’ and to supply arms to the ‘hide outs’. But, Pritilata’s incident almost changed her life. To avoid arrest she changed her name to Puspa Sengupta and escaped with husband Purnedu Bikash Sengupta. She started living in Ranaghat at a rented house. Her husband joined service at Ranaghat sub-division office, but poverty never left her. Nevertheless, she never begged for help. Even people in Ranaghat could ever able to know her identity and relation with Pritilata Waddedar. Recently much to her embarrassment locals came to know about her. She laments: “I broke my oath only for my son Pratap who could not do much in life mainly due to poverty.” In last year chairman of Ranaghat Municipality Partha Chatterjee as a tribute to her paid Rs.5000 towards immediate relief and granted a monthly honorarium of Rs.500. Mr. Chatterjee said: “When many persons faking to be freedom fighter to get financial benefits, such restraint is rare.” The former SDO of Ranaghat Mr.Seuram also assured help, but could do very little in actual.

(Top) Basanti Waddedar, elder sister of Pritilata Waddedar (Below) Basanti Waddedar in front of her dilapidated rented house in Ranaghat. (Inset) Pritilata Waddedar. NfN Photographs by SOVAN CHAUDHURI and SUJIT MANDAL