His indomitable voice spoke out at a time when few dreamed of an independent India. It was Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who first created an awareness among Indians of their right to freedom and pride in their heritage. It was Tilak who said: “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it.” And first talked of swaraj (self-rule) and the pride of swadeshi (of being economically self - reliant), slogans later used by Mahatma Gandhi during his satyagraha and non-cooperation movements. This is the unforgettable story of a writer, orator and patriot whose outspoken and fearless writings led to long years of imprisonment but, till his last day, the Lokmanya never stopped his quest for freedom.