Australian envoy unveils hero's plaque in Mussoorie
Raju Gusain
Mussoorie, August 16
John Fisher, acting High Commissioner of Australia, unveiled a plaque in the memory of writer and Barrister John Lang at the Christ Church here on Monday. Lang is considered the first Australian born novelist. He came to India in 1942 and died under mysterious circumstances in this hill station on 20 August 1864.
It was a noble gesture from the Australian Government to remember unsung novelist John Lang on India's Independence Day.
Addressing the gathering John Fisher termed Lang a connection between India and Australia. "John Lang provided help to India during the independence period. He was a friend of India"
Expressing grief over the withering grave of Barrister John, Virgil D Miedema said, "Old English Cemetery should be declared a heritage site. Organizations should come forward to renovate the grave of John Lang."
In 1954 Lang became a toast of Indians by fighting the famous case of Rani Laxmi Bai against the annexation of the province of Jhansi. John George Lang was born on 19 December 1816 at Parramatta in Australia. After completing his legal studies at the Middle Temple in England (1841) he returned to Australia to be admitted as a barrister at the Sydney Supreme Court. In 1842, Lang left for India. He practiced law and did journalism in India. Lang published at least eleven novels, one/two volumes of short stories, two plays and a travel book 'Wanderings in India'. He launched a newspaper, 'The Mofussilite' from Meerut.
Hindustan Times
17 August 2005
New Delhi Edition (Late City)