Netaji’s statue will get the place it deserves in front of Soudha: CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said the statue of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be shifted to the front of Vidhana Soudha.

After paying floral tributes to the statue of Bose at Vidhan Soudha on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary celebrations here, Mr Bommai told reporters that the statue which is presently located behind Vidhana Soudha near the western gate, will be shifted to a suitable spot befitting the honour he deserved. “Netaji’s next birth anniversary will be celebrated in front of Vidhana Soudha,” he declared.

The CM asserted that Netaji’s statue should be located at a place where it is seen leading everyone. “Remembering Bose as a fearless son of India, who built a force for freedom and fuelled it with his fiery nationalistic passion and patriotism, our government will ensure his ideals are passed on to the youth of the state by celebrating his life and contributions,” he said.

Mr Bommai said Netaji was an indomitable leader who raised an army to fight against the British. “He gave a big thrust to the freedom struggle by uniting world powers of that time to wage a battle in India against the British empire. Netaji had a big role in India attaining freedom,” the CM said.

He added that Netaji inspired youth with his call, ‘give me blood and I will give you freedom’ and with this slogan he laid a strong foundation for the freedom fight by inducting 60,000 youth into Azad Hind Fauj. “Somehow, his death has remained a mystery till today. But he has become a globally renowned leader who is alive in the hearts of Indians,” Mr Bommai said.

The CM added that the state government pledges to pay a year-long tribute to Netaji and his 125th birth anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year. “There will be various programmes, debates and exhibitions in all schools and colleges of the state to take his vision and values to our future generations. Books and articles on Netaji in various languages would be translated and printed in Kannada and distributed among youth,” he said.

Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement. India is celebrating the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose as ‘Prakram Diwas’ (Day of Valour), as he raised the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to fight against the mighty British government in India.

Meanwhile, in a first, the country has launched the Republic Day celebrations from January 23 instead of January 24, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Bose.