India celebrates January 23, 2022, as the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Despite being one of the top contributors in the Indian freedom struggle, Netaji’s birth anniversary wasn’t celebrated as a big day- neither did we have any special fests in schools and colleges on this day, nor was it declared to be a public holiday.
Read more: Neta Ji Subhash Chandra Bose, Erased From History
But the Modi government is bringing Netaji’s legacy into the limelight. From Republic Day celebrations to the new look of India Gate, Netaji is being honoured everywhere.
Netaji’s grand statue to be installed at India Gate
Recently, PM Modi took to Twitter to inform, “At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him.”
PM Modi further added, “Till the grand statue of Netaji Bose is completed, a hologram statue of his would be present at the same place. I will unveil the hologram statue on 23rd January, Netaji’s birth anniversary.”
Read more: The curious case of George V’s statue in India Gate complex and the re-entry of Bose
Republic Day celebrations to now begin with Netaji’s birth anniversary
Republic day celebrations have historically commenced every year beginning January 24. The celebrations end on January 29, with the Beating Retreat Ceremony. On January 26, the military and cultural parade are organised at Rajpath in the national capital.
This year onwards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has brought in a big change to the celebrations of the Indian Republic. Now, the Indian Republic will be celebrated beginning on the day Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born.
The Modi government has announced that the Republic Day celebrations will now begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
According to government officials, “This is in line with Modi government’s focus on celebrating/commemorating important aspects of our history and culture.”
Government sources told PTI that other such days, observance of which has become an annual affair, are August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, October 31 as National Unity Day (birth anniversary of Sardar Patel), November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary), November 26 as Constitution Day and December 26 as Veer Baal Divas (a tribute to the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh).
Netaji’s contribution being acknowledged after decades of neglect
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose played a prime role in chasing out the British colonialists. The Britishers realised that with the Indian National Army beginning to haunt them, it would be unfeasible to continue ruling India.
Netaji had a clear vision- targeting nothing less than complete independence from the British and he literally did everything he could to achieve this dream. He travelled from Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) to Kabul, putting his life at great risk amidst the British government’s attempts to track him down.
Later, he embarked on an extraordinary adventure- a submarine voyage from Germany to Japan during the Second World War. These are things that only a dedicated patriot can do for his nation.
Yet, for the past several decades, Netaji’s contribution hasn’t been honoured the way the Modi government is acknowledging it now. Nor did the history books recognise him properly. All that is now changing with the Modi government honouring him in a grand way.