As India prepares to celebrate Independence Day 2025, a renewed sense of patriotism fills the air. The tricolour will soar high, the echoes of our national anthem will stir our hearts, and stories of valor will once again be remembered.
But amidst the loud celebration of famous names like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Bhagat Singh, we often forget those who fought just as fiercely, just as bravely but were never written into the mainstream narrative.
This Independence Day 2025, let us step beyond textbooks and salute the unsung hero of India, the ones whose sacrifices went unnoticed yet were instrumental in winning us our freedom. The torch of revolution was not carried by a few, but by millions, some in the spotlight and many in the shadows.
Why the Stories of Unsung Heroes Matter More Than Ever
In a time when the younger generation is inundated with information but often disconnected from their roots, telling these lesser-known stories becomes even more vital. The freedom fighters of India weren’t all political leaders or public speakers—many were farmers, tribal leaders, homemakers, students, and workers who refused to accept subjugation. Their courage wasn’t any less significant; their sacrifices, often more tragic.
By remembering the unsung hero of India, we honour a more inclusive, authentic version of our history—one that speaks of grassroots bravery, diverse struggles, and unbreakable resolve. These tales carry timeless values: courage in the face of injustice, unity despite difference, and hope even in adversity. Let’s make sure they are not just commemorated on Independence Day 2025, but passed down for generations.
1. Matangini Hazra – The Gandhi Buri of Bengal
Known affectionately as “Gandhi Buri” (old lady Gandhi), Matangini Hazra was a 73-year-old woman who fearlessly led a procession during the Quit India Movement. As she marched holding the national flag, British police opened fire. Even after being shot, she continued chanting “Vande Mataram” until her last breath.
This brave soul is a true unsung hero of India, whose courage can inspire generations this Independence Day 2025.
2. Peer Ali Khan – A Martyr of 1857 Forgotten in History
One of the earliest rebels of the 1857 revolt, Peer Ali Khan secretly distributed pamphlets urging revolt and nationalism in Patna. He was captured by the British and hanged, his story barely making it into modern history.
His bold defiance makes him a key yet forgotten freedom fighter of India whose sacrifice deserves to be remembered on Independence Day 2025.
3. Aruna Asaf Ali – Icon of Civil Disobedience
Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the national flag during the Quit India Movement at Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan, defying British orders. This act not only sparked mass protests but made her a central figure in underground resistance.
Despite her critical role, she remains an unsung hero of India. On Independence Day 2025, let us raise our voices for her and those like her.
4. Rani Gaidinliu – A Teenage Tribal Revolutionary
From the hills of Manipur and Nagaland rose Rani Gaidinliu, a tribal girl who led her people in revolt against British rule. She was arrested at just 16 and spent 14 years in prison.
Her resilience and commitment to tribal identity and independence place her among the fiercest freedom fighters of India. This Independence Day 2025, her story must resonate from every corner of the nation.
5. Kanaklata Barua – Assam’s Young Braveheart
Kanaklata Barua was only 17 when she led a flag procession in Assam, determined to hoist the Indian flag despite police threats. She was shot and killed, but not before becoming a symbol of youthful courage.
She is a powerful unsung hero of India who reminds us that age was never a barrier to bravery.
6. Alluri Sitarama Raju – Warrior of the Forests
In the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Alluri Sitarama Raju spearheaded the Rampa Rebellion against British forces. With guerrilla warfare and mass tribal support, he waged a valiant war for justice.
While the south reveres him, the rest of India still needs to learn his story this Independence Day 2025.
7. Usha Mehta – The Voice of Resistance
During the Quit India Movement, young Usha Mehta launched the Secret Congress Radio to spread the message of resistance. Broadcasting from underground stations, she risked arrest to keep the spirit of revolution alive.
Her intellectual rebellion made her a standout among the freedom fighters of India, and this Independence Day 2025, we must honour her legacy.
Reclaiming Our Historical Narrative: The Time is Now
If we are to build a proud, united, and conscious nation, we must first know the whole story—not just the headlines. The stories of every unsung hero of India connect us to our local roots, regional diversity, and shared national identity.
It’s time we brought these hidden names into the mainstream, not just in monuments and museums, but in classrooms, movies, literature, and popular media.
Independence Day 2025 gives us an opportunity not just to celebrate freedom, but to re-examine the cost of that freedom and ensure the stories of all those who paid it are acknowledged.
Conclusion: A Grateful Salute to the Forgotten
As the sun rises on Independence Day 2025, let our celebration be deeper than ritual. Let it be a tribute to freedom fighters of India who may not be on our currency or in our textbooks, but who shaped our liberty with every act of rebellion, courage, and sacrifice.
To every unsung hero of India, we say: we remember you. We honour you. And your story will be told—not just on Independence Day 2025, but every day we live in a free India.
