Agartala, Jan 23:
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded long-overdue and genuine recognition to legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which, he claimed, had been denied for decades by previous governments. The Chief Minister made the remarks while addressing a gathering at Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan on the occasion of Netaji’s 129th birth anniversary.
Highlighting Netaji’s immense contribution to India’s freedom struggle, Dr. Saha said that despite his unparalleled sacrifice and leadership, earlier governments failed to honor him appropriately. “It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, for the first time in 2022, installed a 28-foot-tall statue of Netaji at India Gate and declared January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’, ensuring that the nation officially remembers his legacy,” the Chief Minister said.
Recalling Netaji’s role in the independence movement, Dr. Saha described him as a visionary leader whose ideals, philosophy, and nationalism remain deeply relevant in contemporary times. He urged the youth to study Netaji’s life and draw inspiration from his courage, discipline, and selfless devotion to the nation, noting that very few leaders in Indian history had sacrificed so much for the country.
The Chief Minister also spoke about Netaji’s ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi, stating that Bose left the Indian National Congress and later founded the Forward Bloc to intensify the freedom struggle. He emphasized that Netaji had consistently demanded *Purna Swaraj* (complete independence) from the outset—a demand that was eventually adopted by the Congress at its Lahore session.
As part of the commemorative programme, students of the 78-year-old government-aided Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan organized a grand and colorful procession, continuing a tradition that began in 1951. The rally featured hundreds of students in vibrant attire and showcased tableaux depicting themes such as national unity, cultural diversity, Hindu-Muslim harmony, water conservation, prevention of child marriage, women empowerment, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the rights of differently-abled children.
Several dignitaries paid floral tributes to Netaji and encouraged the younger generation to uphold his ideals, making the event a fitting tribute to one of India’s greatest freedom fighters.
