Netaji Bose statute at India Gate |
The Modi government demonstrated another action of nationalism and pride to honour the freedom fighter who took to armed struggle. The statue of Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate replaces the statue of King George V, the imperial icon of the country that Netaji fought all his life. Along with the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy were also present on the occasion as India celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Bose. Modi and Shah spoke on the occasion. The installation of the granite statue of Netaji under the canopy is in recognition of the leader of INA as one of the foremost freedom fighters of India. INA was the army that faced maximum attrition with 26,000 out of a total of 90,000 killed, but never surrendered to the British. Its officers and men were captured and put on trial but never signed any surrender document before the British. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose`s statue was placed where the statue of George V used to be till 1968. The imperial ruler for whom the 1911 Delhi Durbar was held with practically all the ruling princes and noblemen in India present to pay their obeisance to the newly crowned Emperor of India. Netaji Subhash Bose will be taking salutes on the Republic Day parade every year. Government officials said the installation of Netaji`s statue sends a message to the world that India pays respect to a revolutionary leader who was with the losing side in World War II. According to officials, the decision to install Netaji`s statue was not taken in the spur of the moment by Prime Minister Modi but through intensive deliberations with the culture ministry and those manning historical archives.
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