By- Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
“Give me your blood, and I shall give you freedom”—the quote by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose inspired thousands of Indian youths to join the struggle for independence from the British colonial rule. A pivotal figure in India’s freedom movement, Netaji is considered by many as one of the greatest leaders ever born. To venerate his contribution to India’s struggle for independence, every year on 23rd January, we celebrate his birthday across various parts of the country. This year we celebrate his 126th birth anniversary.
Subhash Chandra Bose was one of the most celebrated freedom fighters of India. He was a charismatic influencer of the youth and earned the epithet ‘Netaji’ by establishing and leading the Indian National Army (INA) during India’s struggle for independence. He was born on 23 January, 1897 in Cuttack (Orissa) to Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. Subhash was the ninth child among eight brothers and six sisters.
He himself started the newspaper ‘Swaraj’, edited Das’ newspaper ‘Forward’ and worked as the CEO of Calcutta Municipal Corporation under Das’ stint as Mayor. Subhash Chandra Bose played an important role in enlightening the students, youths and labourers of Calcutta. In his fervent wait to see India as an independent, federal and republic nation, he emerged as a charismatic and firebrand youth icon. He was admired within the congress for his great ability in organization development. He served several stints in prison for his nationalist activities during this time.
Although he voiced his dislike for the British often in his correspondences, he also expressed his admiration for their structured way of life. He met with the leaders of the British Labor Party and political thinkers including Clement Attlee, Harold Laski, J.B.S. Haldane, Arthur Greenwood, G.D.H. Cole, and Sir Stafford Cripps and discussed the possibilities that an independent India might hold.
He was known as “Netaji” one of the famous fighters who participated in the freedom of India. He possessed an odd bravery, self-confidence and persistent trust in his capabilities. He taught all the Indians to love homeland from the inmost heart’s core. He was able to set up his own army. He managed to escape from his residence in 1940, where he was kept on house arrest by the then British rulers. Bose, the epitome of intelligence and a fearless fighter managed to trail across the globe, meeting influential leaders from Germany, Italy, and Japan and ultimately formed the INA (Indian National Army) in 1941. He was a brilliant academician and wrote exceptional literature to promote patriotism through his books. Few of the books that “Subhas Chandra Bose” wrote are – An Indian Pilgrimage, Words of Freedom-Ideas of a Nation, The Indian Struggle, Azad Hind and many more. He also wrote books in Bengali like JaruriKichuLekha. Netaji.
“Subhas Chandra Bose” is an icon of the Indian freedom struggle. He ignited the true spirit of patriotism in the hearts and minds of all the Indians. Even the daring Netaji couldn’t change his destiny as on 18th August 1945; he faced his tragic end when his aircraft crashed while he was heading towards Japan.
