Panchi Changkakoty
(panchichangkakoty825@gmail.com)
We often forget to celebrate the birth anniversaries of our real heroes; instead we choose to push the boat out when it comes to toasting to birth anniversaries of celebrities. Such is an example of Subhash Chandra Bose upcoming birth anniversary which is on 23rd January. Despite being the one of the leading light to the Freedom Movement of India his major contributions were overlooked. Not many people know that Netaji was the one who chose Rabindranath Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana' as the official national anthem. He also found the popular expression 'Jai Hind' which later became the official slogan for all freedom fighters. After graduating from Cambridge University Bose went on to secure a job in ICS which he later turned down in order to fight for our Freedom. He was a true warrior who single handedly gathered and marched an army of 40,000 which comprised of Indian soldiers to fight against the British Army. His struggle of Independence from the British rule caught the spotlight during the Civil Disobedience Movement for which he has been arrested. As a matter of fact he was arrested 11 times for his ideologies and use of violence against the British. Bose benevolently embraced the Freedom Movement and also became an inspiration for other freedom fighters. With the help of slogan "Give me Blood and I will give you freedom", he awakened the damped spirits of our country. Such was the charm of his personality and philosophy. He strongly believed in Geeta and thought that the scripture can provide helpful insights into the fight that was on with the British Army. He held ideologies which were in contrast with the Congress Committee. He firmly supported once and complete Independence of India whereas the Congress Committee proposed for independence in phases by means of dominion status. Moreover, Bose was appointed as president of Congress for two consecutive assemblies. But he was forced to resign after being outmanoeuvred and outsmarted by Gandhi. He did not support the idea of non violence which Gandhi stood by. He thought that violent resistance was our way out.
During the time of India's Independence, Clement Attlee was the Britain's Prime Minister and he came to Kolkata once in 1956. His then host was governor and former chief justice of Kolkata high court PB Chakravartti. So at the time of his visit PB Chakravartti tried to find out the real reason behind British Army granting freedom to India. In response to that enquiry Clement Attlee said that the loyalty of the Indian Navy and Indian Army to the British State was gradually declining due to the staggering military activities build up by Azad Hind Fauj. Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army was formed by Bose with the help of Indian prisoners of war. This was one of the major reasons why British left India. Therefore this proves Subhash Chandra Bose's great contributions towards the Indian Freedom Movement. Bose's selfless offerings and he leading the Indian National Army was indispensible. He was a true freedom fighter and shall always remain our hero.