CUTTACK: Parakram Diwas stands not just as remembrance of Netaji’s valour, but as a call to every Indian to act boldly with courage and actively contribute to nation-building, said Vice- President of India CP Radhakrishnan while taking part in the birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose here on Friday.
Paying tribute to the great son of the soil at his birthplace, which is now the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum, Radhakrishnan said collective efforts towards achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 would be the true tribute to Netaji.
Referring to the INA marching song ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, Radhakrishnan said India should now march towards a Viksit Bharat. “Kadam Kadam Badhao, Viksit Bharat Ke Aur, should be our slogan. Netaji’s call of ‘Delhi Chalo’ has been achieved. Now, we have set a goal to become the most powerful nation and must work together to achieve it by drawing inspiration from Netaji’s vision of strong, self-reliant and powerful nation,” he said.
While many leaders of the freedom movement focused on attaining Independence, Netaji was the only one who thought of India after Independence, including eliminating poverty and making the country powerful, the Vice-President added.
Radhakrishnan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded due honour to Netaji by observing his birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas and renaming three islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
The V-P garlanded Netaji’s statue and hoisted the national flag at his birthplace. He also went around the 12 galleries at the Birthplace Museum and inaugurated the INA Philately Gallery and a photo exhibition organised by the Ministry of Culture. He felicitated three freedom fighters Mayadhar Mallik, Wing Commander (retd) BS Sing Deo and Narendra Rout on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains relevant in today’s rapidly changing world order. “Netaji’s life teaches us the value of fearless leadership, integrity in action and unity in diversity. His leadership of the Indian National Army stands as a testament to the power of disciplined organisation, moral conviction and the indomitable human spirit,” he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said efforts were being made to develop Cuttack and honour Netaji’s legacy, while adding that his contribution had not been adequately documented in history.
Among others, Culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Cuttack mayor Subhas Singh, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Souvik Biswal and Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi were present.
Debashish not invited, lashes out at govt
BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray hit out against the government for not inviting him to the Parakram Diwas programme in Cuttack. Despite representing Cuttack district, his name was deliberately left out while Congress and other BJD representatives were featured, he said.
“Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan who was the chief guest of the event, organised by Ministry of Culture is the ex-officio Chairman of the Upper House. The exclusion undermined parliamentary dignity and protocol. I will bring the matter to the notice of parliament’s privilege committee,” said Samantaray.