To inspire people of the country, Government of India has decided to celebrate birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose every year as “PARAKRAM DIVAS”.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897 and hence, 2021 is the 125th birth anniversary year. Consequently, the Ministry of Culture has proposed a number of activities and projects for this year-long commemoration.
The inaugural function of the commemoration will be held at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata on 23rd January 2021 presided over by the Prime Minister. Additionally, the Union Government has appointed a panel headed by home minister Amit Shah to celebrate Bose’s 125th birth anniversary.
On 19th January 2021, the Ministry of Culture issued a notification stating that in “order to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, Government of India has decided to celebrate his birthday on the 23 rd day of January every year as Parakram Diwas”.
A cultural program “Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot” will also be held based on the theme of Netaji. Ministry of Education has proposed to establish five chairs on Netaji in five Indian Universities, organize online Lectures and Webinars on teachings of Netaji.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Brief Life Journey & Contribution to Indian Freedom Struggle
- Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.
- After his early schooling, he joined Ravenshaw Collegiate School. From there he went to join Presidency College, Calcutta and was expelled due to his nationalist activities. Later, he went to University of Cambridge, U.K.
- In 1919, Bose headed to London to give the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination and he was selected. Bose, however, resigned from Civil Services as he believed he could not side with the British.
- He was highly influenced by Vivekananda’s teachings and considered him as his spiritual Guru. His political mentor was Chittaranjan Das.
- In 1921, Bose worked under Chittaranjan Das, as the editor for the newspaper, Forward.
- Bose joined the Indian National Congress in 1921 and later started a newspaper called ‘Swaraj’.
- In 1923, Bose was elected the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of Bengal State Congress.
- He was the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of the Bengal State Congress.
- Bose authored the book ‘The Indian Struggle’ which covers the Indian independence movement from 1920 to 1942.
- When C.R. Das was elected Mayor of Calcutta Cooperation, he nominated Bose as the chief executive.
- Netaji was sent to prison in Mandalay for nationalist activities in 1925. He was released in 1927 and became the INC’s general secretary.
- In 1930, he was elected Mayor of Calcutta, the same year he was elected the President of All India Trade Union Congress.
- Netaji won the congress presidential elections at Haripura in 1938.
- Next year at Tripuri, Netaji was re-elected against Pattabhi Sitarammayya but soon resigned from the presidency.
- On 22 June 1939 Bose organised the All India Forward Bloc as a faction within the Indian National Congress.
- When World War II began, he was again imprisoned for participation in civil disobedience and was put under house arrest.
- Bose managed to escape to Berlin by way of Peshawar and Afghanistan.
- Bose founded the free India centre in Berlin and created the Indian Legion out of the Indian prisoners of war who had previously fought for the British in North Africa prior to their capture by Axis forces.
- In Europe, Bose sought help from Hitler and Mussolini for the liberation of India.
- In Germany, he was attached to the special bureau for India which was responsible for the broadcasting on the German sponsored Azad Hind Radio.
- He reached Japanese-controlled Singapore from Germany in July 1943, issued from there his famous call, ‘Delhi Chalo’, and announced the formation of the Azad Hind Government and the Indian National Army on 21st October 1943.
- The INA was first formed under Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.
- On 6th July 1944, Bose addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the ‘Father of the Nation’.
- The INA supported the Japanese army in its invasion of northeast India and also took control of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, they were forced to retreat by the British forces following the Battles of Kohima and Imphal in 1944.
- In November 1945 a British move to put the INA men on trial immediately sparked massive demonstration all over the country.
- The I.N.A. experience created the wave of disaffection in the British Indian army during the 1945-46, which culminated in the great Bombay naval strike of February 1946 and was one of the most decisive reasons behind the British decision to make a quick withdrawal.
Source: HT
- In 1942, Subhas Chandra Bose was given the title ‘Netaji’, in Germany by the Indian soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj.
- Netaji is credited with the very famous slogan, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!” as well as “Jai Hind”.
- He is also credited to be the first man to call Mahatma Gandhi “Father of the Nation”, in his address from Singapore.
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