CUTTACK: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an extraordinary and unparalleled leader of India’s freedom struggle. If he had not launched military struggle against the British rule, then securing independence for India would have been delayed, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the three-day Parakram Diwas organised by Ministry of Culture commemorating the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji at Satyabrata stadium here, Majhi said though he had secured fourth position in Indian Civil Service in 1920, he preferred to leave his administrative job to serve mother India by joining the freedom struggle. His resignation had inspired crores of young Indians who took Netaji as a role model. His contribution to the freedom struggle has been written in golden letters in the pages of history, Majhi added.
The chief minister said to pay proper respect to the brave son of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19, 2021, had announced the celebration of Netaji’s birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas. “It is a matter of pride that after Kolkata and Delhi, Parakram Diwas is being celebrated at Netaji’s birthplace in Cuttack this year,” Majhi said.
The chief minister said Prime Minister Modi has strived to give Netaji his due place among India’s greatest sons. To commemorate the fact that Netaji had hoisted Indian flag at Andaman Nicobar Island in December 1940, the prime minister had renamed Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Saheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep respectively.
Earlier in the day, Majhi paid tribute to Netaji by garlanding his statue and unfurling the National Flag at the Netaji Birthplace Museum here in Odia Bazar in the presence of deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, culture minister Suryavanshi Suraj, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab and others.
As usual, the day dawned with recital of ‘Ram Dhun’ at Janakinath Bhawan which was decorated beautifully. Many political leaders, bureaucrats, citizens, intellectuals, students and also the general public visited Netaji’s birthplace museum and paid tribute to him.
Canvas paintings by 20 artists of Odisha Lalit Kala Academy depicting Netaji’s life, revolutionary activities, important events and the Azad Hind Fauj were exhibited on the museum premises.