Let us focus on the two words – Enduring Legend. I think many of you will agree that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has indeed assumed the status of a legendary figure in the annals of Indian history. This is no doubt a fitting tribute to a man who had lived an exemplary life of courage and sacrifice with the singular aim of winning freedom for his motherland from British rule.
What I would like us to focus on is more of a practical nature – that is, on the continuing relevance of Subhas Chandra Bose in today’s India– the vision and ideas Netaji had developed to transform India into a united, prosperous and egalitarian society.
I would like to focus principally on two issues which, in my view, are fundamental to Netaji’s legacy:
First, let us deal with Netaji’s ideal of a united India. Here I must state Sarat Chandra Bose, Netaji’s elder brother and his pillar of support both in private and public life. Sarat and Subhas – the Bose Brothers as they are known – had from the very beginning dedicated themselves to fight for a united India. The Bose Brothers were fully aware that if India, after the British were gone, would want to remain as one country, one nation, the interests and rights of all communities had to be protected. They were firmly of the view that no difference and no discrimination should be made on the basis of caste, religion or gender.
Netaji demonstrated in his Indian National Army how people of different castes, religion and language could be brought together under one banner and under one slogan – freedom for India. The INA remains a shining example of how people of different faiths and backgrounds can unite and fight for a common cause.
There is no doubt that it was the charisma and leadership of Netaji which brought all Indians together – Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians – to fight for India’s freedom. Today we have Netaji’s shining example and inspiration to build a united India where not only the Hindu majority but all other communities can enjoy equal rights and opportunities under the ‘Constitution of India’ and no appeasement for any particular community.
Netaji did not have to witness the partition of India. Sarat Chandra Bose did. Sarat Bose endeavoured until the very end to prevent partition and keep India united. But it was not to be.
Today, India suffers from the grave danger of divisive politics. Vote banks are created on caste and religious lines. Such divisive politics work against the economic and social development of India.
If we wish to revive and celebrate the legacy of Netaji, we need to remember his role as a unifying force cutting across caste, religious and linguistic barriers, and work towards building a united India.
In order to do this, we need to study the life, writings and speeches of Netaji. His legacy is contained in all what he said and wrote. It is a shame that we invoke the name of Netaji often, but we know very little about his life and work.
The second aspect of Netaji’s legacy which we want to recall is his role as a champion of women. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose grew up in a family which had an enlightened view of the role of women in society. In fact, Netaji’s mother Prabhabati devi was a dominant figure and exercised much influence in the Bose family. Netaji thus grew up with deep respect for women and with the fundamental belief that men and women are equal.
It is therefore not surprising that Netaji set up the very first army of women combatants – the Rani of Jhansi Regiment when he launched his Indian National Army in Singapore in October 1943. Netaji was so far ahead of his times.
Now if we look at the condition of women in India today it is a far cry from what Netaji would have wanted. Just look at the rising number of cases of sexual harrassment, rape and murder of women across India.
How do we begin to change the situation? Through education of course. We need to educate men to treat women as equals and women need to recognise that they are indeed equal to men.
Here again Netaji’s legacy is there for us both for inspiration and guidance.
Mahatma Gandhi hailed Netaji as a patriot of patriots, Government must declare 23 January as ‘Patriots Day’. It would be a befitting tribute to Netaji the man and his legacy. Political parties should implement Netaji’s inclusive ideology to protect the Concept of Bharat. Jai Hind!
Celebrating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday would be meaningful if we follow his inclusive ideology!
Celebrating Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday would be meaningful if we follow his inclusive ideology!
9
7
22.01.2024
Let us focus on the two words – Enduring Legend. I think many of you will agree that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has indeed assumed the status of a legendary figure in the annals of Indian history. This is no doubt a fitting tribute to a man who had lived an exemplary life of courage and sacrifice with the singular aim of winning freedom for his motherland from British rule.
What I would like us to focus on is more of a practical nature – that is, on the continuing relevance of Subhas Chandra Bose in today’s India– the vision and ideas Netaji had developed to transform India into a united, prosperous and egalitarian society.
I would like to focus principally on two issues which, in my view, are fundamental to Netaji’s legacy:
First, let us deal with Netaji’s ideal of a united India. Here I must state Sarat Chandra Bose, Netaji’s elder brother and his pillar of support both in private and public life. Sarat and Subhas – the Bose Brothers as they are known – had from the very beginning dedicated themselves to fight for a united India. The Bose Brothers were fully aware that if India, after the........
© News9Live
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
