`Jhanda geet` writer a forgotten figure in hometown

Kanpur: As India prepares to celebrate its 60th Independence Day, Shyam Lal Gupta, who wrote the famous

patriotic song - "Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara" - that inspired freedom fighters, remains a forgotten figure here in his own hometown. Except a few NGOs, no political leader or government officials offered flowers to his statue, situated in the heart of the town near Phoolbagh, on his death anniversary on August 10 last. The relatives of Padmashree Awardee Gupta today roam around the city as vendors to earn their livelihoods. Gupta's grandsons -- Rakesh Gupta, Sanjay Gupta and Rajesh Gupta -- who earn their livelihood through petty works like selling 'hing' etc, live in a dilapidated house at Generalgunj, which was allotted by a trust. "When the Government of India can offer a job to the relatives of Tantya Tope, why can't the relatives of 'Jhanda Geet' poet get similar benefits?," argued Alok Mehrotra, chairman of city-based Vandemataram Sangharsh Committee. Gupta was born at Narval in Kanpur in 1896. Though, the district administration has kept Gupta's belongings like Padmashree Award, manuscript of his 'Jhanda Geet' and stamp released in his memory in the state museum here, but it forgot to think about his family members. "The whole nation will sing 'Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara' on the 60th Independence Day but there is no one to offer a flower on Gupta's statue here," Mehrotra says. Bureau Report