Commemorating Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Birth Anniversary 2023: Inspiring Quotes and Fascinating Facts about India’s Freedom Fighter

BAL GANGADHAR TILAK BIRTH ANNIVERSARY: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born on July 23, 1856, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, was a renowned Indian nationalist, educator, scholar, philosopher, mathematician, and freedom fighter. During British rule, Maharashtra was known as Bombay Presidency.

Tilak, lovingly referred to as ‘Lokmanya’ or ‘accepted as the people’s leader,’ played a significant role as the first leader of the Indian freedom movement. He possessed such immense influence that the British rulers labeled him ‘the father of the Indian unrest.’

One of Tilak’s significant contributions was revolutionizing the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra. He transformed the traditional worship of Lord Ganesh into grand public celebrations through the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav.

Lokmanya Tilak Birth Anniversary: Fascinating Facts

1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak emerged as a prominent leader during the Indian Independence Movement, contributing significantly to the rise of Indian nationalism.
2. He played a pivotal role in shaping the early stages of the Indian freedom movement against British rule.
3. Tilak is recognized as the ‘Father of Swarajya’ for his advocacy of self-rule and its integration into the struggle for independence.
4. Tilak formed the powerful Lal-Bal-Pal trio, along with Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal) and Bipin Chandra Pal (Pal), which influenced the political discourse of the independence movement.
5. In 1880, Tilak established Kesari, a newspaper that continues to be published to this day.
6. He also founded the Indian Home Rule League and famously proclaimed, “Swarajya is my birthright, and I will have it.” He served as its president as well.
7. Throughout his life, Tilak endured multiple incarcerations, including prolonged imprisonment in Mandalay, Myanmar.
8. In 2007, the Government of India issued a commemorative coin to honor Tilak on his 150th birthday.

Famous Quotes by Bal Gangadhar Tilak

1. “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!”
2. “The problem is not the lack of resources or capability, but the lack of will.”
3. “If God is put up with untouchability, I will not call him God.”
4. “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.”
5. “Life is all about a card game. Selecting the right card is not in our hand. But playing well with the cards in hand determines our success.”