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Rajani Kanta Majhi, one of the few living freedom fighters of independent India, was born in 1930 into a humble farmer’s family in Nowadihi village under Boro police station in Purulia district. His father, Shri Girish Chandra Majhi, was a hardworking farmer, and Rajani Kanta assisted him in farming while continuing his education. Influenced by frequent visits from Congress leaders to his village – then a stronghold of the national freedom movement – he became inspired by the ideals of local patriots like Rebati Kanta Chatterjee and Atul Chandra Ghosh.

In 1942, responding to Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India Movement and the slogan “Do or Die,” the revolutionary spirit spread rapidly across Purulia, especially in areas like Manbazar, Boro, Barabazar, and Bandowan. During this time, revolutionaries, under the leadership of Satyakinkar Mahato, launched bold actions like burning the colonial infrastructure in the Khariduara tehsil, destroying the Boro wine kiln, and planning attack on the colonial Manbazar police station. Rajani Kanta actively participated in these movements. Arrested for his role, he was sentenced for six months in the Purulia jail.

In recognition, the Government of India granted him a monthly freedom fighter’s pension.

After independence, Rajani Kanta returned to a quiet life of farming with his wife, Smt. Subhadra Devi. Despite his age, he continues to reflect on those heroic days.

Pension order issued by the Government of India in 1989.

Source: Soumen Pal, Contributor for CCRT.