Honouring Netaji

The Prime Minister is visiting Kolkata on January 23 for the 125th birthday of Subhash Chandra Bose. The following is an extract from the first speech that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made from the Red Fort on August 16, 1947. “On this day we must remember those who had made sacrifices and suffered for the cause of Independence. It is needless for me to name all of them, but I cannot help mentioning Subhash Chandra Bose, who left this country and formed Indian National Army abroad and fought bravely for the freedom of the country. He hoisted this flag in foreign countries and when the day for hosting it on the Red Fort, he was not to see the dream fulfilled. This should have been the day of his return, but alas, he is no longer in this world.” Contrast this with the present scenario when the NDA will celebrate it as ‘Parakram Diwas’ and the TMC and the forward bloc will celebrate it as ‘Desh Prem Diwas’. May wisdom may prevail and there be a joint celebration of the birthday of a great hero.