Born: 23 January, 1897
Died: 18 August, 1945
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly known as, one of the most revered freedom fighters of India was born in Cuttack. Bose was one of the brightest students in his school days and university and scored top ranks throughout his study. Netaji obtained his BA in Philosophy with a first-class score in 1918 Since his young days, he was highly influenced by Vivekananda’s teachings, adored him as his spiritual Guru and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student.
Subhash Chandra Bose’s father always wanted him to see as a civil servant and therefore, sent him to England to appear in the Indian Civil Service Examination. Bose scored highest marks in English. But his interest in participating in the freedom movement was extreme . He resigned from the Indian Civil Service in April 1921 and came back to India.
He later joined the Indian National Congress, and being elected as the president of the Youth wing party Netaji was active with the radical wing of Indian National Congress during his young days. His nationalistic personality first came to light after he was drum-out from Presidency College for assaulting Professor Oaten for anti-national comments.
Bose travelled to a number of countries,to make a union with each country and to attack the British government in India. In 1943, he came to Singapore to lead the Indian Independence league and re-built Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army. Under his leadership, thousands of ex-prisoners and civilian volunteers from Malaysia and Burma joined the army, and fought together to push the British imperial rulers out of the country.
Bose stood for self-governance and ideologies were highly contradictory to that of Mahatma Gandhi,he always believed that non-violence would never be sufficient to secure independence and advocated violent resistance.
Bose raised an objection against Viceroy’s decision to declare war on India as he supported a mass campaign of civil disobedience. Later he escaped from India in 1941 and went to Germany where he worked for India’s independence.
Bose came all the way to Manipur in India, when Independence was brought to Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with Japanese Army.
The Azad Hind Radio station in Germany was established by him, which led the Indian nationalist movement in East Asia.
The slogan “Jai Hind”, which is a popular patriotic salutation in the country was created by him.
On June 22, 1939, the All India Forward Bloc was organized by Bose , which was a faction within the Indian National Congress, aiming at combining the political left. The impact was sustainable in Bengal and South India.
Once Netaji said, “It is blood alone that can pay the price of freedom. His slogan Give me blood and I will give you freedom!” inspire many people even today.
Netaji died on 18 Aug, 1945 while his death is one of the greatest mysteries of the history, it was believed that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose died in a plane crash from third-degree burns in Taiwan, and his body was never recovered. Many Indians believe that no crash had happened. Several conspiracy theories were put forward after his death.
