Declared Netaji Jayanti to be commemorated
as Parakram Diwas – in recognition of the quintessential Parakram attributes of
Netaji and his extraordinary daring pursuits for the freedom of our nation. The
PM has also unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the
India Gate, which has subsequently been befittingly replaced with a permanent granite
massive statue of Netaji, which stands tall today as a symbol of India’s
indebtedness to Netaji.
Interestingly, the giant black granite statue of Netaji installed at the India Gate was sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor who has also sculpted the Ram Lalla idol, which was consecrated with the Pran Pratishtha Ceremony, by the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, at Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. Arun Yogi Raj, belongs to a family of five generations of sculptors. He was chosen to sculpt the idol of Ram Lalla, in Ayodhya, primarily because of the highly appreciated sculpting capability that he had demonstrated in sculpting the 30 feet statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose installed in the canopy behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in New Delhi.
The statue of Netaji, standing majestically tall, commemorates the pivotal role played by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, one of the most iconic and influential leaders, who played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. Netaji’s role and his militaristic approach in attaining independence for India though were diametrically opposite to the Gandhian way, it must be recognised that this was one of the prime reasons for India gaining independence from British Rule. Netaji’s granite statue at the India Gate will remind us all - fellow Indians – to remember his contributions to the Indian Independence struggle, which will be etched in the annals of Indian history.
It was providential that Arun Yogi Raj who was chosen to sculpt the historic statue of Netaji for commissioning at the India Gate was commissioned to sculpt the Ram Lalla idol. It appears that Yogi Raj, the sculptor hailing from Karnataka, has been gifted with this god-gifted artistic sculpting talent from the legendary sculptor of ancient times, Jakanachari, who hails from Karnataka. The legend of Jakanachari - who is aptly given the epithet “Amara Shilpi” - as a sculptor par excellence is larger than life, which is evidenced in several temples with fine sculptures seen in the temples of the Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas.
The grand statue of Netaji, carved by Yogi Raj stands tall in the Indian Gate Canopy, which has been carved from a monolithic block of granite that weighed around 280 MT. Several craftsmen and artists, under the leadership of Yogi Raj, have worked with passion putting in “26,000-man hours of intense artistic endeavour” in chiselling to produce the statue of Netaji, which weighs around 65 MT. True to the age-old Indian traditions of crafting and sculpting the best of statues by sculptors like Jakanachari, the statue of Netaji has been completely hand-sculpted using traditional techniques with modern tools.
Today as we celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, we must bow down in reverence to this great son of India who sacrificed what would have been a lucrative ICS career, in service of our motherland. All through his life, Netaji dreamt nothing but freedom for the nation, and in the process, he may have chosen a path, that may not appear to be the right way for some, but then it must be remembered that his aim was solely to get independence for India from the colonial rule of the monster rulers – the British - at any cost and that too for the Akhand Bharat and not the India that we now recognise. It is from this position that we must recognise his path of divergence from Gandhi. It is this path for freedom for India that manifested in the formation of the Azad Hind Force, aligning with Japan to confront the British. Bose's commitment to an unfocused objective of India's freedom demonstrated his unyielding spirit and perhaps it is the fear of this spirit that helped in India get the freedom.
On this occasion it is apt to recall that historic speech of Netaji, where he spoke those immemorable words ' Give me your blood, I will give you freedom' and motivated thousands of his fellow countrymen - the Indian National Army. Netaji’s appeal motivated thousands of his fellow countrymen, the Indian National Army, to fight selflessly for Indian freedom, most unfortunately the INA and the people who fought under its banner, get only a footnote mention while speaking of our struggle for independence. History and as a corollary all of us have been unfair to Subhash Chandra Bose and his men, but then fortunately, though late, his statue standing tall on the ramparts of the Kartavya Path has made amends and etched his contributions in the annals of Indian history and ensured that he and his extraordinary unsung heroes - his fellow INA members and the Azad Hind Force - continue to be remembered and revered by this indebted nation, even as Bose's controversial death in an air crash adds intrigue to his legacy. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a subject of debate and scrutiny. As the narrative evolves, there's a growing acknowledgment of the need to delve deeper into Bose's life, acknowledging both his extraordinary contributions and the mysteries surrounding his demise.
Here are some highlights of contributions by Netaji.
Netaji formed the Forward Bloc, on 3rd May 1939, in Makur, Unnao, after parting ways with the Congress. He resigned from the presidency of the Indian National Congress on 29 April after being outmaneuvered by those who were inimical to the growing stature of Netaji in Congress. His main focus was advocating for a more aggressive approach toward attaining independence. This marked a pivotal moment in his quest for a stronger, united India.
He established the Azad Hind Radio, which he used effectively to broadcast messages of inspiration and motivation to the Indian masses, fostering a sense of unity and determination during the freedom struggle.
He founded the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942. This was one of his most significant contributions and his army contingent comprised of Indian prisoners of war and civilians. INA played a crucial role in challenging British rule, particularly in the context of the Burma Campaign. Unfortunately, due to politics, the contributions of the INA and how it helped expedite India's attaining freedom from the British have been completely overlooked at worst and brushed under the carpet at worst.
Netaji proclaimed the establishment of the Azad Hind Government in Singapore in 1943, reflecting his commitment to providing an alternative administrative structure for a free India. He visited the South Andaman district in 1943. On December 30th, 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Supreme Commander of the Azad Hind, created a historic moment by hoisting the Indian National Flag for the first time on the soil of Port Blair
Under Bose's leadership, the INA participated in the Battle of Imphal in 1944, a significant military engagement against the British forces. Though the INA ultimately withdrew, the battle demonstrated the strength and determination of Bose's forces.
Netaji established the Rani of Jhansi
Regiment, an all-women combat unit within the INA, challenging traditional
gender roles and showcasing his progressive vision for an independent India.
He actively sought international support for India's cause, forging alliances with countries like Germany and Japan. His diplomatic efforts aimed to garner backing for the Indian independence movement on the global stage.
Images: Courtesy Wikipedia
Long live Netaji and his INA compatriots
in the hearts and minds of Indians.
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