Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a freedom fighter, social thinker, philosopher, and educator known for playing an instrumental role in India’s Independence effort. He was born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak on July 23, 1856 in Mahrashtra’s Ratnagiri. Tilak was called ‘Lokmanya,’ which means ‘accepted as the people’s leader.’
After completing his early education, Bal Gangadhar Tilak went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and sanskrit from Deccan College in Poona (Pune). He graduated from Government Law College with an LLB in 1879.
With a vision to impart nationalist principles to young people, Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the Deccan Education Society in 1884.
Tilak’s vision of uniting people through social and cultural bonding played a key role in the emergence of present day celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi across Maharashtra. He transformed the festival of worshiping Lord Ganesh into elaborate public celebrations known as Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav.
On the birth anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, let us commemorate the freedom fighter by remembering his 10 inspiring quotes.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak Birth Anniversary 2024: 10 Quotes By Freedom Fighter
- Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it.
- Our nation is like a tree of which the original trunk is Swarajya and the branches are swadeshi and boycott.
- There are higher powers that rule the destiny of things and it may be the will of providence that the cause which I represent may prosper more by my suffering than by my remaining free.
- If we trace the history of any nation backwards into the past, we come at last to a period of myths and traditions which eventually fade away into impenetrable darkness.
- If God is put up with untouchability, I will not call him God.
- Swadeshi and swadeshi will be our cry forever and by this, we will grow in spite of the wishes of the ruler.
- Religion and practical life are not different. To take sanyas (renunciation) is not to abandon life. The real spirit is to make the country, your family, work together instead of working only on your own. The step beyond is to serve humanity and the next step is to serve God.
- Life is all about a card game. Choosing the right cards is not in our hand. But playing well with the cards in hand determines our success.
- The problem is not the lack of resources or capability, but the lack of will.
- True patriotism demands a fearless attitude towards injustice.
