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Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a dedicated and zealous freedom fighter who formed the Azad Hind Fauj, or the Indian National Army (INA), to wrest independence from the British empire. He believed that militancy and offence were the weapons to achieve freedom. His band of motivated soldiers supported this approach and also his socialist policy. Together they worked for the movement to gain independence till this braveheart son of the nation succumbed to burn injuries sustained in a plane crash. He breathed his last on 18th August 1945 in a Taiwan hospital under treatment. His declaration/ assurance to his countrymen was a burning slogan ‘Tum Mujhe Khoon do, main Tumhe Azadi Dunga (give me blood and I shall give you freedom). His other slogans were Jai Hind and Dilli Chalo.
On the 75th Anniversary of Independence, the Government of India has decided to commemorate the occasion by implementing the Amrit Mahotsav celebration. Certain decisions have been taken to commemorate the important aspects of the nation’s rich culture and history. Accordingly, this year, the republic day celebrations will begin on 23rd January, Netaji’s Birth Anniversary. Earlier Republic Day celebrations started on 24th January, and 23rd January will now be celebrated as Parakram Diwas to remember and pay homage to the indomitable spirit of Subhash Chandra Bose.
Subhash Chandra Bose – Important Details
- Date of Birth: 23rd January 1897
- Birthplace: Cuttack, Odisha
- Parents: Janakinath Bose (father) & Prabhavati Devi (mother)
- Wife: Emily Schenkl
- Children: Anita Bose Pfaff
- Education: Ravenshaw-Collegiate-School, Cuttack; Presidency-College, Calcutta; University of Cambridge, England
- Associations (Political Party): INC; Forward Bloc; INA
- Movements: Indian Freedom Movement
- Religion: Hinduism
Netaji Subhas Bose – Early Life
He was born in Cuttack in Odisha on 23rd January 1897 to Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. He was a bright child and showed determination and promise. His father was an eminent lawyer and was given the Title Rai Bahadur by the British. Subhash did his schooling in his hometown. After passing out from Ravenshaw-Collegiate-School, he joined the Presidency College Calcutta. At the young age of 16, he read books by Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna Paramhans. Their writings influenced him profoundly. He completed his higher studies in England at Cambridge University. He cleared the civil service examination in England in 1920, but in 1921 knowing about the Indian Nationalist Movement, he dropped his candidacy and returned to join the movement.
Netaji - Achievements, Works, and Contributions
- After returning to India, he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement initiated by Mahatama Gandhi against the British. During that period, INC had become an influential non-violent organization. While Subhash Bose was working for the Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhiji asked him to work with Chittaranjan Das. He later became Subhas Bose’s political Guru.
- Became commandant of the Bengal Congress volunteers.
- While working for the Freedom Movement, he was imprisoned several times. In 1927 when he was released from prison, he started a newspaper, swaraj.
- Later he was appointed General Secretary of the Congress party and started working with Jawaharlal Nehru.
- In 1938, he became the President of the Indian National Congress. A planning committee was formed under him. This committee prepared an industrialization policy.
- In 1939 all India forward block – a left-wing Nationalist party under the tutelage of Subhash Chandra Bose, became a faction of the Congress. The forward block party aimed to bring together all the radical members of the party.
- He formed the Azad Hind Fauj, also referred to as the Indian National Army.
- After Japan occupied most South-East Asia countries by defeating the British, the Indian National Army was formed. Soldiers were recruited from the prisoners of war liberated from the clutches of the British. The aim of forming the army was to liberate India from British rule.
- In 1941 Subhash Chandra Bose escaped from India and reached Germany. In 1943 he went to Singapore and started recruiting the army
- The Azad Hind Fauj contained about 45000 soldiers. It was comprised of Indian prisoners of war and Indians who were settled in countries of South-East Asia and had offered themselves to fulfil the nation’s purpose.
- Netaji hoisted the Indian Flag in Andaman, which the Japanese had occupied.
- In 1944, the Azad Hind Fauj also attacked the North Eastern regions of India to win it back from the British.
- Indian women, too, participated actively in the freedom struggle. There was a women’s regiment of Azad Hind Fauj that actively participated in battles and attacks against the British. Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan commanded the regiment, and the all-women regiment performed with valour under her.
Subhash Chandra Bose organised the Azad Hind Fauj to oppose and fight the British and liberate his country with support from Japan. During this period, he also sought help from Hitler and Mussolini. He also founded the Free India Center in Berlin. He was attached to the India special bureau, which broadcasted the German-sponsored Azad Hind Radio.
Death of Subhash Chandra Bose
The unceasing endeavour of Subhash Bose came to an end with his demise. Throughout his life, he strived to free his motherland from the shackles of slavery and sacrificed himself on the altar of duty. He suffered third-degree burns in a plane crash and died on 18th August 1945 in a hospital in Taiwan.
