Today we are enjoying the benefits of India’s independence happily sitting inside our homes. But, have you ever thought that those soldiers, who did not care for their lives and fought for the freedom of our country, and those of whom are alive today, are in which condition? Here is the story of a 90-year-old man who once served in the Indian Army, but now begs on the streets to earn his livelihood.

Shripatji, the 90-years-old resident of Jhansi, did not bother about his life and fought for the freedom of our country. However, the sad truth is that India got independence while he himself became a bonded slave of circumstances and his son’s alcohol addiction, to the extent that he has to beg today in order to make a living.

At the time when India was fighting for her independence, Shripatji was inspired by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s public speeches and took up arms to lead his motherland to freedom. His life was sailing smoothly, who had inherited a decent 7-acres of land in Jhansi and even was the owner of a licensed gun.

However, his family’s riches were pillaged by the vices of his own son, Tulasiya. His addiction to intoxication and gambling has shredded the well-balanced life of the entire family. Tulasiya sold off the seven acres of land and one by one all the other belongings of the house. With time, everything that the family once owned slipped away from their hands.

Shripatji did everything to save his family from falling apart but only to prove in vain. He worked as a laborer as long as his body could allow but after a point of time, he had no choice but to take to the streets and beg to earn a living. Presently, this nonagenarian and his wife live in a small hut in Hansari in Jhansi.

Shripatji’s story is as inspiring as it is tragic. Someone who was once a soldier in India’s freedom struggle is today forced to battle with various hardships in his lot.

Shripatji is just one freedom fighter who has to go through this struggle. We are not aware of many more such freedom fighters who are facing similar predicament and forced to beg in so-called “free India”. Is this what those brave hearts truly deserve? Don’t they deserve even a life of dignity?

Also Read: Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, Myths And Facts Regarding Her History