Netaji birth anniv to be Parakram Diwas
Bose family, TMC, Left react sharply
New Delhi: The government has decided to observe January 23 as “Parakram Diwas” every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel said. PM Narendra Modi will participate in the first “Parakram Diwas” event in Kolkata.
New Delhi, Jan 19: The government has decided to observe January 23 as “Parakram Diwas” to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the first “Parakram Diwas” programme in Kolkata on January 23 on Bose's 125th birth anniversary and inaugurate an exhibition on the grounds of National Library to mark the occasion, Mr Patel said.
Mr Patel said PM Modi will also felicitate prominent members of the Indian National Army formed by Bose and their family members in Kolkata on Saturday.
He said 200 Patua artistes from West Bengal will make a painting on a 400-metre-long canvas depicting Bose's life.
Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan will participate in a programme in Cuttack, Odisha, where Bose was born.
Another programme will be held in Haripura village in Gujarat's Surat district where Bose was elected as president of the Indian National Congress in 1938.
The culture ministry is also considering building a memorial in the honour of around 26,000 martyred members of the INA, Mr Patel said.
Members of Netaji’s family, the ruling Trinamul Congress and the Left parties in West Bengal on Tuesday reacted sharply to the Centre’s decision to celebrate the icon’s birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas (day of valour) and not by the names they had proposed.
TMC leader Saugata Roy said, the announcement to observe the day as “Parakram Diwas” was not enough.
"January 23 should be announced as a national holiday. It is our longstanding demand. As he was a national leader and head of Azad Hind Fauj, these two aspects are not reflected through 'Parakram Diwas'. We had also demanded observance of the day as 'Desh Prem Diwas' (patriotism day).
"It appears to be a stunt keeping in mind the upcoming assembly polls in the state, and not as a mark of respect to Netaji," he said.
BJP leader and Netaji’s grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose said the day should be observed as Desh Prem Diwas (day of patriotism). “#Netaji’s birthday on 23 January is celebrated as #DeshPremDivas across the country by people from all religions, caste & creed as he was the #LiberatorofIndia & their own leader. Govt sponsorship is not required. However its time the GOI officially announce! @narendramodi @PMOIndia,” tweeted Bose.