Khudiram

 Khudiram

In his own words, Khudiram made a statement (which was updated) while under arrest, recorded by the special branch of the police, before he was hanged: "I was naughty in my childhood. (But after I entered Midnapore Collegiate School) a change overtook me". 

He was the second youngest revolutionary of Indian freedom movement, attempted murder of the Chief Magistrate but the two innocent British ladies (Kennedy mother and daughter) were killed by the bomb. His was a son of a Revenue Tehsildar, but his parents died when he was only 7 years old. He therefore moved to his sister’s place and grew independently and under the influence of the speeches delivered by Aurobindo Ghosh in Midnapore. He joined Anushilan Samiti and became volunteer at the age of 15. As the Chief Magistrate Kingsford was unpopular because of granting harsh punishment to the revolutionaries, his murder was planned by the Anushilan Samiti. The major was Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram was his companion. 

After the execution of the event at 8.30 PM on 29 April 1908, both escaped in different directions but Khudiram was caught from Waini Railway station (now named Khudiram Bose Pusa Station) on suspicion by the two police men. Prafulla Chaki committed suicide but Khudiram faced the trial. He was sentenced death penalty. 

He didn’t go in depression of the hearing the verdict but accepted it with a smile on face. When the judge asked him whether he had anything to say, in front of a packed audience, Khudiram replied with the same smile that if he could be given some time, he could teach the judge the skill of bomb-making. 

On the day of execution at 6 AM on 11th August 1908, he walked to the gallows firmly and cheerfully and even smiled when the cap was drawn over his head and with his body erect, he welcomed death cheerfully and smiling. He was just 18 years 8 months old. 

He became Hero of revolutionary movement. Bengal Weavers weaved Special Dhoti with Khudiram written in it and boys studying schools and colleges were wearing it. 

He was named Khudi because he was sold to his sister in exchange of three handfuls of food grains. It was a ritual performed because two sons of his parents didn’t survive before his birth. He was self made revolutionary at very young age became revolutionary hero with one act of bravery of throwing a bomb on a British carriage, and thereafter presented himself with a maturity of a martyr. खुदीराम अमर रहो।