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In a fitting tribute to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 23 January, 2022 unveiled a hologram statue of the great patriot at India Gate. The 28-feet tall 3D ‘hologram’ was inaugurated against the backdrop of the immortal Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj’s marching song ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa’.
This Day Is Historic
“On the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the brave son of Mother India, on behalf of the whole country, I bow to him. This day is historic. This period is also historical. This place is also historical. Netaji gave us the confidence of a free and sovereign India. With great valour, he told the Britishers that I won’t beg for freedom, I will take it. Soon in place of this hologram, a granite statue will be placed. This statue will tell the coming generation about their national duties,” said PM Shri Narendra Modi after inaugurating the statue.
Recalling Netaji’s vision for India, PM Shri Modi stated that the citizens had the goal of building a ‘New India’ before the hundredth year of independence. He remarked, “Netaji had faith in the country, because of his feelings, I can say that there is no power in the world that can stop India from reaching this goal.”
Shri Modi added, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav resolves that India will revive its identity and inspirations. It was unfortunate that after independence, along with the culture and rites of the country, work was done to erase the contribution of many great personalities. The freedom struggle involved the penance of lakhs of countrymen, but efforts were made to limit their history as well. But today, after decades of independence, the country is correcting those mistakes.”
‘Can Do, Will Do’ Spirit
PM Shri Modi cited ‘Panch Teerth’ associated with Babasaheb Ambedakar, Statue of Unity to commemorate the contribution of Sardar Patel, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in the honour of Bhagawan Birsa Munda, Tribal Museums to remember the great contribution of the tribal community, naming an Island in Andamans after NetaJi to comommerate 75 years of tricolour in Anamans and Sankalp Smarak in Andamans to honour Netaji and INA, as some key steps in the direction of correcting the mistakes of the past. The Prime Minister recalled with emotion his visit to Netaji’s ancestral residence in Kolkata on the Parakram Diwas last year.
The Prime Minister said he also cannot forget the day of 21 October 2018 when the Azad Hind government completed 75 years. “In a special ceremony held at the Red Fort, I had hoisted the tricolour wearing the cap of the Azad Hind Fauj. That moment was wonderful, unforgettable”, he said.
The Prime Minister said if Netaji Subhash was determined to do something, then no power could stop him. We have to move ahead taking inspiration from Netaji Subhash’s ‘Can Do, Will Do’ spirit.
About Netaji’s 3D ‘Hologram’ Statue
It is important to mention that till the time the grand statue is constructed, the 28-feet tall 3D ‘hologram’ of Bose will be displayed there. The 25-feet high granite statue would be installed at the canopy adjoining India Gate where till 1968 a figure of Imperial Monarch King George V had once stood.
The Bose ‘hologram’ statue will be powered by a 30,000 lumens 4K projector, which will display a 3D image of Netaji – 28 feet in height and 6 feet in width. An invisible, high gain, 90% transparent holographic screen has been erected in a way that is not visible to visitors.
The Centre has also extended Republic Day celebrations from January 23-29 this year, to include the Azad Hind Fauj chief’s 125th birth anniversary.
January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’
Previously in January 2021, the Government of India announced that Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary on January 23 every year will be observed as Parakram Diwas. It has already renamed Howrah Kalka Mail as “Netaji Express”, has arranged a program at Victoria Memorial and National Library Programme in Kolkata, and released a memorial postal stamp. The Centre also formed a high-level committee headed by PM Shri Modi and comprising of ministers, experts, historians, authors, family members of Netaji and INA associates to commemorate Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary. It said that the move is to pay tribute to the freedom fighter to inspire the youth of the nation to ‘act with fortitude in the face of adversity’.
Republic Day celebrations from January 23 instead of January 24
India began Republic Day celebrations from January 23 instead of January 24, to include the birth anniversary of late freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Prime Minister said, “Netaji used to say “Never lose faith in the dream of independent India, there is no power in the world that can shake India.” Today we have a goal to fulfill the dreams of an independent India. We’ve a target to build a new India before 100th year of independence, 2047″.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi after unveiling Netaji’s statue, conferred the Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskars, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah also paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, saying that Netaji’s legacy will inspire many generations of the country. “This is not just a statue but a befitting tribute to the legendary Netaji, who gave everything for India’s freedom”.
Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri was also present on the occasion.