Today, January 23, 2024, marks the 127th birth anniversary of one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This day is celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ or Courage Day, honoring his unwavering dedication towards India’s freedom struggle.
Early Life and Education
On January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, British India, Subhash Chandra Bose was born. He was Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi’s tenth child. Bose was an exceptionally talented student who graduated from Presidency College in Calcutta (now Kolkata) with a BA in philosophy. In 1921, he left the civil service to become a member of the nationalist movement, although his father had also sent him to England to take the Indian Civil Service exam.
Political Career and Contributions
Bose joined the Indian National Congress and rose through its ranks, eventually becoming the President of the Congress in 1938. He was among the key figures who laid the foundation for the modern Indian state, establishing and leading the Indian National Army and forming alliances against the British.
Bose joined the Indian National Congress and rose through its ranks, eventually becoming President of the Congress in 1938. He was among the key figures who laid the foundation of the modern Indian state, founded and led the Indian National Army, and formed a coalition against the British.
Inspirational Quotes
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was known for his stirring speeches that inspired people and sparked the urge for freedom. Some of his most famous quotes include:
- “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!”
- “Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible.”
- “Freedom is not given, it is taken.”
- “It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.”
- “One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives.”
Celebrations and Tributes
On the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, schools and colleges across the country organize cultural programs to honor his legacy. The Indian national flag is ceremoniously hoisted, and monuments such as the Netaji Museum, Netaji Bhawan and the INA Museum are decorated with garlands. Students come on stage to deliver speeches depicting the inspiring legacy of Netaji and other freedom fighters.
On social media, people share photos, quotes and videos of Netaji to honor his legacy and cherish the values of freedom, courage and patriotism he espoused. This year, President of India Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary.
