One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives.
Subash Chandra Bose was a renowned Indian revolutionary freedom fighter, a nationalist leader and founder of Azad Hind Fauj. His intransigent patriotism made him a luminary in India.
Government of India Ministry of culture in order to honour and remember Netaji's indomitable spirit patriotism and selfless service to the nation, has decided to celebrate his birthday on 23rd of January as "PARAKRAM DIWAS" to inspire people of our country especially the youth to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji's did. The people of India fondly remember Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose for his unparalleled contribution to this great nation on his 125th birth anniversary.
Born on January 23, 1897 in Odisha, Subash Chandra Bose was a son of a wealthy and prominent Bengali lawyer, studied at Presidency college, Calcutta (Kolkata) from which he was expelled in 1916 for nationalist activities and the Scottish Churches College from where he completed his graduation in 1919. He was then sent by his parents to the University of Cambridge in England to prepare for the Indian civil service. In 1920, he passed the civil service examination, but in April 1921, after hearing of the nationalist turmoil in India, he resigned his Candidacy and hurried Back to India. Throughout his career, especially in its early stages, he was supported financially and emotionally by an elder brother, Sarat Chandra Bose, a wealthy Calcutta lawyer.
Bose joined the Non- Cooperation movement started by Gandhiji, who had made the Indian National Congress a powerful nonviolent organisation. Bose was advised by Gandhiji to work under Chitta Ranjan Das, a politician in Bengal. There he became a youth educator, journalist and a commandant of the Bengal Congress volunteers. He was deported to Burma (Myanmar) because he was suspected of connections with secret revolutionary movements. Released in 1927, he returned to find Bengal Congress affairs in disarray and was elected as President of Bengal Congress. Shortly thereafter he and Jawaharlal Nehru became the two general secretaries of Indian national Congress. Together they represented the more hard core, left wing faction of the party against the more comprising, right-wing Gandhian faction. In 1938, he was elected president of the INC and formed a national planning committee, which formulated a policy of Broad industrialization. However, this did not harmonise with Gandhian economic thought. Bose in 1939 defeated a Gandhian rival for re-election but was bound to resign due to lack of Gandhi's support. He then founded Forward Bloc, hoping to rally radical elements, but was again incarcerated in July 1940.
On January 26, 1941 though closely watched, he escaped from his Calcutta residence in disguise and travelling via Kabul and Moscow, eventually reached Germany in April. In Nazi Germany Bose came under tutelage of a newly created Special Bureau for India, guided by Adam Von Trott Zu Solz. He and other Indians who had gathered in Berlin made regular Broadcasts from the Germany sponsored Azad Hind Radio beginning in January 1942. Bose left Germany, travelling by German and Japanese submarines and plane reached Tokyo in 1943. There he assumed leadership of the Indian Independence movement in East Asia and proceeded with Japanese aid influence, to form a trained army of about 40,000 troops in Japanese occupied Southeast Asia. On October 21, 1943, Bose proclaimed the establishment of a provisional independent Indian Govt, and so called Indian national Army (Azad Hind Fauj), alongside Japanese Troops, advanced to Rangoon (Yangon) and thence overland into India, reaching Indian soil on March 18, 1944 and moving into Kohima and the plains of Imphal. Lacking Japanese air support, the forces were defeated and forced to retreat with the defeat of Japan, however Bose's fortunes ended.
A few days after Japan's announced surrender in August, 1945, Bose fleeing South-east Asia, reportedly died in a Japanese hospital in Taiwan as a result of burn injuries from a plane crash.
India celebrates the 125th birth anniversary of one of its greatest sons who fought for its independence defying all odds. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may not be present with us today, but his thoughts continue to inspire millions of people even today. He was not only a national Icon, but he was a world icon. He was liberator of India. It was his Azad Hind Fauj and INA trials which fought the final battle for India's freedom. Bose is credited with very famous slogan, "Give me Blood, and I shall give you freedom," he said it because spirit of freedom and love for his motherland was infused in his veins. He was also credited to be the first man to call Mahatma Gandhi "Father of the Nation", in his address from Singapore, when he also asked for his blessings and good wishes for the war he was fighting. Jai Hind" or "Glory to India" was a slogan used by him and later adopted by GOI and by Indian Armed forces.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose will always be remembered for his sacrifices he made. Today we see a lot of divisive activities across the nation; it is only Subhas Chandra Bose's inclusive ideology which can again unite the nation. It will be the real homage and tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose if we vow to adopt his inclusive ideology of uniting all communities as Bhartiyas which is the concept of India. |
