Sub-Editor
The fearless man with a command of voice and passion in heart, the man with a dream of free India in his eyes surrounded by round glasses, the hero who has ignited the fire of patriotism in the hearts of many Indians – the one-man army Netaji, no adjectives can define the braveheart who alone was enough to fight hundreds of Britishers. His name is edged in the hearts and minds of every Indian.
Subash Bose’s great escape even after the tight security system of the British made him a superhero of the nation. Knowing his great ability as a political leader, he has been nicknamed as Netaji (Respected Politician). It was known to all that in Independent India, Bose would be the leader. But some “saints” couldn’t accept the fact and this led to Bose sudden disappearance, who never returned. Bose might have disappeared suddenly, but his contribution towards Independence can never disappear. Here are some facts which would remind us why Netaji is the real leader of our nation.
The main statement which really proves Netaji to be one of the actual reason for India’s independence came from Lord Attlee. In a conversation with the then Governor of WestBengal Justice P.B.Chakraborty in 1956, Attlee-the leader of Labour Party and the British premier who had signed the decision to grant Independence to India admitted that the main reason for the British removal, among many others, being the erosion of loyalty to the British crown among the Indian Army and Navy personnel as a result of the military activities of Netaji. He even went to the
extent of considering Gandhiji’s influence on British removal as “minimal”.
He maintained a cordial relationship with everyone, even with Gandhiji, who stood against this election as the President of INC. The title of Father of the nation was given to Mahatma Gandhi by Netaji. Seeking Gandhiji’s blessings, Netaji sent a message to Mahatma Gandhi on Azad Hind Radio, Rangoon on 4th June 1944. He started his letter: “Father of our Nation in this holy war for India’s liberation, we ask for your blessings and good wishes”.
Textbooks in schools and colleges contain various chapters on the life of the non-violent leaders and their contribution towards Independence. But was only those abruptly ended movements enough to get rid of the whites?” In February 1946, almost 20,000 sailors of the Royal Indian Navy serving on 78 ships mutinied against the Empire. They went around Mumbai with portraits of Netaji and forced the British to shout Jai Hind and other INA slogans. “This is only one instance to portray the reality which actually made us breathe in the air of free India.
Women’s participation in the freedom struggle was the centre of attraction during those days. There were many leaders who have encouraged women to participate in the movements and this also includes Gandhiji and Subhash Chandra Bose. But the perspective from which both of them viewed woman differs greatly. In most of his speeches, Netaji said, “there is not ask which our women cannot undertake and no sacrifice and suffering which our women cannot undergo…” He didn’t only motivate thousands of woman to participate in the race to freedom but also unveiled the abilities of a woman and the pain which she could potentially undertake.
This is not about diminishing any leaders character or contribution, but this is a fact that we should revisit the historical documents to acknowledge properly the immense contribution of Netaji.
