Narayan Prasad Tiwari, a courageous freedom fighter hailing from the small village of Patharia in Damoh district, made significant contributions to the freedom movement in Damoh. Born on 28 October 1925 in the household of Nathuram Tiwari, young Narayan Prasad Tiwari witnessed the plight of his country under British rule and was deeply moved by the call for freedom. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's Quit India movement in 1942, he gathered a group of like-minded youth in Patharia who shared their unwavering spirit of patriotism. Determined to bring about change and rid India of British rule, they embarked on a revolutionary journey against the oppressive regime.
On that fateful day, 9 August 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi called for the Quit India Movement, 15-year-old Narayan Prasad Tiwari, fuelled by his passion for the motherland, orchestrated a powerful demonstration against the British at Jhanda Chowk in Patharia. He symbolically prepared a hanging noose and gallantly placed it around his neck, firmly stating that either the British must leave India or he would sacrifice his life. The audacity of his act sent shockwaves through the British authorities, who swiftly intervened and apprehended Narayan Prasad Tiwari.
He was a young man of innate instinct, brimming with patriotism and a deep love for his motherland. Despite receiving only primary education in the humble village of Patharia, he possessed an unwavering resolve to inspire the youth toward patriotism. He actively participated in Mahatma Gandhi's Quit India movement and the boycott of foreign goods, both pivotal campaigns in the fight for independence. However, his patriotism burned brightly, refusing to be extinguished. His relentless dedication to the cause drew the attention of the British authorities, who repeatedly tried to dissuade him from his patriotic activities. Undeterred, he continued his fight against the British under the able guidance of Patharia's admired freedom fighters, including Chintaman Tiwari, Babulal, and Babulal Jain.
The British, alarmed by his persistent activism, arrested Narayan Prasad Tiwari once again, this time incarcerating him in Jabalpur Jail. There, he endured nine months of rigorous imprisonment, yet his spirit remained unbroken. Even behind bars, he fearlessly raised slogans of "Vande Mataram," "Bharat Mata ki Jai," and "Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai", serving as an unwavering symbol of resistance against the oppressors.
Upon his release from Jabalpur Jail, he resumed his mission of awakening and mobilizing the youth of the nation. His unwavering commitment to the cause of independence was evident as he fearlessly confronted the challenges that lay ahead. He was even subjected to a three-month punishment of eating his meals within the confines of a six-foot-long and six-foot-wide room, emphasizing the relentless pursuit of his goals despite immense personal sacrifice.