Quoting Netaji that “Never lose faith in the dream of independent India, there is no power in the world that can shake India”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that today we have a goal to fulfil the dreams of independent India. We have the goal of building a new India before the hundredth year of independence.
Modi unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate, last evening. This hologram would be in place till the work of the statue of Netaji is completed. The statue would be unveiled in the same place to mark the year-long celebration of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Prime Minister said if Netaji Subhash was determined to do something, then no power could stop him. We have to move ahead taking inspiration from Netaji Subhash’s ‘Can Do, Will Do’ spirit.
He said that it is the grand resolve of Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav that India will revive its identity and inspirations. The Prime Minister regretted that after independence, along with the culture and traditions of the country, the contribution of many great personalities was also erased.
The Prime Minister said the freedom struggle involved ‘tapasya’ of lakhs of countrymen, but attempts were made to limit their history as well. But today, after decades of independence, the country is boldly correcting those mistakes. He cited Panch Teerth associated with Babasaheb Ambedakar, Statue of Unity to commemorate the contribution of Sardar Patel, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in the honour of Bhagawan Birsa Munda, Tribal Museums to remember the great contribution of the tribal community, naming an Island in Andamans after NetaJi to comommerate 75 years of tricolour in Anamans and Sankalp Smarak in Andamans to honour Netaji and INA, as some key steps in the direction of correcting the mistakes of the past.
Modi recalled with emotion his visit to Netaji’s ancestral residence in Kolkata on the Parakram Diwas last year. The Prime Minister said he also cannot forget the day of 21 October 2018 when the Azad Hind government completed 75 years. “In a special ceremony held at the Red Fort, I had hoisted the tricolour wearing the cap of the Azad Hind Fauj. That moment was wonderful, unforgettable”, he said.
PM also conferred Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskars for the year 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in the investiture ceremony. This award was instituted by the Union Government to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by the individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management.
