Gadar Memorial Hall in SF to be turned into museum.
By American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Indian-Americans have begun a campaign to have the Gadarites, who gave their lives in pursuance of Indian Independence, to be remembered during Memorial Day holidays in the US.
Under the plan, The Gadar Memorial Hall, located in San Francisco, would be turned into a museum detailing the plight of the Gadar movement. The museum would also have a library, and both museum and library would be furnished by the Indian government.
“The Indian-American community, at least on Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), should remember the sacrifices of Gadarites,” said Inder Singh, chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Singh has been at the front of the charge as the centennial of the Gadar movement approaches.
The movement also has the support of Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao. She highlighted the recent steps taken by India, particularly a commemorative stamp, in its efforts to recognize the Gadar movement’s significance in India’s fight for independence. But according to some, such as 76 year-old Surinder Pal Singh, the grandson of Gadar fighter Bhagwan Singh, there is far more that needs to be done.
“Just releasing a stamp is not enough. It has been kept away from history books,” said Singh. “To know the legacy of the pioneers and pass on to the next generation rests solely on us and particularly on our community leaders who organize various events.”
The Gadar movement is celebrating the centennial of the establishment of its headquarters in San Francisco, which occurred in 1913.