Sons of soil like Bose, Ambedkar and Sardar were “forgotten in favour of one family”: PM Modi at Red Fort

New Delhi: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today, hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of formation of Azad Hind Government, formed by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Prime Minister congratulated the nation on the proud occasion of 75thanniversary of formation of Azad Hind Government. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Azad Hind government represented the vision laid down by Subhas Chandra Bose, of a strong undivided India.He added that Azad Hind government was actively involved in nation building and had even startedits own bank, currency and stamps.

Recalling the contributions of Netaji, Modi said that Subhas Chandra Bose was a visionary,who united Indians to fight against the powerful colonial British rule. He added that Bose showed patriotism right from a young age, as was visible from the letters he wrote to his mother.

Prime Minister said that Netaji was not just an inspiration for Indians, but for all those who were fighting for self-determination and freedom in countries all over the world. In context he mentioned how South African leader Nelson Mandela was inspired by Netaji.

Reminding the nation that there is a long way to go before building a new India as envisioned by Subhas Chandra Bose, Prime Minister urged the citizens to get inspired by Netaji and work towards the development of the nation. He added that India achieved independence after lots of sacrifices and it is the duty of citizens to preservethat independence.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose laid down the foundation for equal opportunity for women in armed forces, through the formation of Rani Jhansi Regiment. Prime Minister said that the government is carrying forward this legacy in true means and reiterated that women will be given equal opportunity for permanent commission in armed forces.

On the occasion, the PM attacked the Congress for neglecting the contribution of Subhash chandra Bose and said that several good sons of the nation like Bose, B R Ambedkar and Sardar Patel were “forgotten in the favour of one family”.

‘Netaji had promised an India where everyone has equal rights and equal opportunities. He had promised a prosperous nation which was proud of its traditions, development in all areas. He had promised to uproot ‘divide and rule’. Even after so many years those dreams remain unfulfilled,’the PM said.

The PM recalled that while remembering his days at Cambridge, Bose had written,”Indians are taught that Europe is a bigger picture of the Great Britain and because of this our habit is to look at Europe from an English perspective’

‘It has been our misfortune that even after independence, those who laid the foundation of India and our system, looked at India from an English spectacle. Our heritage, culture, education system, our curriculum have all suffered from this.

Today I can say this with certainty that if our nation was guided by the likes of Subhas Bose and Sardar Patel, if it was not looked at from a foreign perspective, then the situation of the country would be much different. It is sad that just to magnify the presence of one family, sons of India — Patel, Ambedkar and Bose — have been obliterated from our national discourse,’the PM said at the event , seen as an attempt by the BJP to stake claim to the legacy of Netaji Subhash chandra Bose, after earlier attempts to stake claim to me fact if Dr B R Ambedkar and Sardar Patel.

The Prime Minister also unveiled a plaque to mark the anniversary. The plaque will be placed at barrack number three at the Red Fort where members of the Azad Hind Fauj faced trial. A museum will be also set up in the barrack.

PM Modi said that Bose’s administration was not just in name but he made plans.
“It had its own bank, its own currency, its own stamp and its own intelligence system… I bow down the parents who gave the country a leader like Subhash Chandra Bose Ji,” he said.
The Prime Minister also announced that a national award in the name of Bose will be given every year to police personnel who do excellent work in rescue and relief operations during any kind of disaster.

“From this year onwards, we will give an award in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to police personnel who do exemplary work while rescuing and providing relief to people during the time of any disaster,” he said
Mr Modi said the award will be announced on January 23, Netaji’s birthday.