(Image source from: dnaindia.com)

Freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born 165 years ago on July 23rd. His real name was Keshav Gangadhar Tilak and he was a philosopher, freedom warrior, social thinker and educator who kept key efforts in the Indian independence. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born in the year 1856 in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri and played an active role in the liberation fight. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Deccan College in Mathematics in Pune in 1879. Bal Gangadhar Tilak then graduated from the Government Law College with LL.B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the Deccan Education Society in the year 1884 to teach the nationalist principles to the youngsters of the country. On his birth anniversary, here are some inspiring quotes of Bal Gangadhar Tilak:

1. Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.

2. Our nation is like a tree of which the original trunk is swarajya and the branches are swadeshi and boycott.

3. It may be providence’s will that the cause I represent may prosper more by my suffering than by my remaining free.

4. If we trace the history of any nation back into the past, we come at last to a period of myths and traditions that eventually fade away into impenetrable darkness.

5. If God is put up with untouchability, I will not call him God

6. Swadeshi and swadeshi will be our cry forever and by this, we will grow in spite of the wishes of the ruler.

7. Religion and practical life are not different. To take sanyas (renunciation) is not to abandon life. The real spirit is to make the country, your family, work together instead of working only on your own. The step beyond is to serve humanity and the next step is to serve God.

8. Life is all about a card game. Choosing the right cards is not in our hands. But playing well with the cards in hand determines our success.

9. The problem is not the lack of resources or capability, but the lack of will.

10. After all, our Killers are our Brothers!!??

Source: News18