- The mere mention of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose evokes not only a tremendous sense of pride for the way the towering freedom fighter fought for the nation’s independence from the British but also inspires millions of people to trade the path of supreme sacrifice, valor, grit, determination, and never-say-die attitude that resonates with the present generation even after decades. That Netaji is held in high esteem and accorded unquestionable standing whilst recounting the contributions of our freedom struggle in the country is stating the obvious.
PC: wallpapercave
- Netaji continues to stand tall amidst scores of contemporaries and no fewer contributors for the nation’s cause instilling a proud following amongst the countrymen even now speaks volumes about his legendary exploits. Instead of celebrating the awe-inspiring achievements of the personality cult of the leader in his 125th birth anniversary year, the political slugfest associated with the recently concluded 124th birth anniversary celebrations in Kolkata belittles the humongous benchmark set by the inspirational leader.
- Trying to appropriate the legacy of the leader are two political parties, one national and the other regional, who is leaving no stone unturned to usurp everything associated with the Indian National Army Commander-in-Chief as also making every effort to own the gigantic personality with unmasked narrow-minded considerations. Note that the West Bengal assembly elections are due in the next few months, and the nation is witness to no-holds-barred political one-upmanship underway between the two political parties aiming to consolidate their voter bases.
PC: dw
- As was witnessed by the entire country, just as West Bengal Chief Minister was to address the 124th birth anniversary celebrations in the presence of the Prime Minister, a section of the crowd chanting Jai Shri Ram irked the CM resulting in an abrupt end not before expressing her unhappiness over politicization during the poignant occasion. Agreed, it’s not uncommon for political parties to appropriate figures whose appeal transcends narrow boundaries, but conveniently pigeonholing to fit into contemporary agendas should be desisted at all costs.
- As history is replete with differences of ideologies amongst the stalwart leaders in the freedom struggle, enunciated in lucid details about the positions propagated by no less than Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Bose himself in their avowed upholding of militant and non-violent modes, it is more pertinent to note those differing policies never came in the way of pushing for the common cause of attaining independence. Patriotic fervor was equally encouraged in differing ideologies in the bygone era as well though never allowed to cross the line attracting unqualified insinuations.
PC: indiatoday
- Netaji or for that matter freedom struggle leaders would have contemptuously disliked the usurpation of what they fought for being contextualized in the runup to the elections in Bengal. The political campaigning is reaching fever-pitch and might see legacies being bandied about to whip-up emotions rather than concentrate on the contemporary issues of relevance in the form of economy, employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, education, and substance rather than latching onto the previous legacies which should be ideally celebrated apolitically without taking recourse to historical distortions. Hope the political parties realize this.
