On the eve of the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) urged citizens to draw inspiration from the courage and sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and apply that same spirit to address the country’s pressing challenges today. In a solemn message marking the occasion, Governor Parnaik described the Quit India Movement as a defining moment in the nation’s struggle for independence — one that united people across regions, languages, and communities against colonial rule. “Launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, the movement became a clarion call to end British rule,” he said. “Gandhi’s ‘Do or Die’ message was not just a slogan but a moral awakening that ignited an unshakable will among millions to fight for self-determination.”
While acknowledging that India has long been free from foreign domination, the Governor cautioned that the nation still faces deep-rooted problems. “The era of colonial rule is over, but we continue to grapple with poverty, inequality, ignorance, and corruption,” he noted. “Overcoming these requires the same unity, determination, and selflessness that fuelled our freedom struggle.” Governor Parnaik appealed to citizens to honour the sacrifices of the past by actively contributing to the creation of a stronger, more inclusive, and self-reliant India. He stressed that building such a nation is not solely the responsibility of governments but a collective duty shared by all citizens.
The Quit India Movement, often regarded as the final mass push towards independence, continues to serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when the country stands together for a common cause. As India prepares to mark its anniversary, the Governor’s message is a call to channel history’s lessons into present-day nation-building efforts.
