The Boy Who Made Ramaswamy Circle Live Forever

It all began with a simple wish — I just wanted to meet my best friend, Rashi.

It had been a year since we last met, and I missed her so much. So one bright Sunday in 2023, I asked my father to help me find her house near Ramaswamy Circle.

When I reached there, I saw Rashi’s sister working on a school project. Out of curiosity, I asked her what it was about. She smiled and said, “It’s about how our area got its name — Ramaswamy Circle.”

I was surprised. “Who was Ramaswamy?” I asked.

And that’s when she began to tell me a story I’ll never forget — a story that changed how I looked at every road, statue, and corner of our city.

She told me about a brave young student named Ramaswamy, who lived during India’s freedom struggle. He was just a schoolboy, yet his heart burned with love for his country.

On one morning in 1946, a group of students gathered near Hardwick School shouting slogans — “We want freedom! Vande Mataram!”Among them stood Ramaswamy, proudly holding the Indian flag.

When the Deputy Commissioner, Nagarajaiah, arrived and ordered Ramaswamy to drop the flag, he refused.

He kept shouting “Vande Mataram!” louder and louder — until a bullet struck his chest. He fell with the flag still in his hand.

Everyone was shocked. That day, Mysuru lost a child, but India gained another hero.

Later, feeling guilty for his act, Nagarajaiah left Mysuru forever. The place where Ramaswamy fell came to be known as Ramaswamy Circle, so that no one would ever forget the courage of that young boy.

As I listened to the story, I felt a strange silence inside me — the kind that comes when something touches your heart deeply.

We often think freedom was brought by great leaders alone, but this story reminded me that even a schoolboy’s bravery can echo through generations.

That day, I returned home not just after meeting a friend — but after meeting a hero through her story.

Let’s never forget the sacrifices made by children like Ramaswamy.

Let’s love our country the way he did.

Vande Mataram!

Jai Hind!

Jai Karnataka!