“Give me your blood, and I shall give you freedom” -the quote by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose sparked patriotism in the hearts of many Indians to join the fight for the country’s independence. Even today, these words don’t fail to inspire and move us.
Who was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a great freedom fighter who rebelled against the British and did his part to help India achieve independence. His undeterred attitude and resolution to make India free still inspire many.
He was born to Janaki Nath Bose and Prabhabati Bose in 1897 and had 13 siblings. He was married to an Austrian woman Emille Shinken. His daughter Anita Bose later became a popular economist in Germany.
Why is Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti celebrated?
To honor his contribution to India’s struggle for independence, Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday is celebrated across various parts of the country on January 23rd every year. This year Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti will be observed on Sunday. It will mark his 125th birth anniversary.
History of this day
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Currack, Orissa on January 23rd, 1897. After completing his degree in Philosophy in Calcutta, he was sent to England to study for the Civil Services exams.
In 1921, he returned to India, where his fervent patriotism led to him being considered a rebel by the British authorities.
Bose became a leader of the youth wing of the Indian National Congress in the late 1920s, becoming Congress President in 1938 and 1939. He left Congress leadership positions in 1939 due to his differences with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress high command. He was subsequently placed under house arrest by the British before escaping from India in 1940.
What happened to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during the second world war?
In 1942, during the Second World War, he formed the Indian National Army in Southeast Asia, composed of Indian soldiers of the British Indian army who had been captured in the Battle of Singapore. Netaji established a provisional government of Free India or Azad Hind in 1943 in Andaman and Nicobar, which had been captured by Japanese forces.
What happened after the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra
On 18 August 1945, Netaji is said to have died from third-degree burns sustained after his plane crashed in Taiwan. Due to the circumstances of his death, the Government of India has set up a number of committees to investigate the case.
Since then, his life and legacy are seen as an inspiration to generations of young Indians and Netaji Jayanti is an opportunity to celebrate his role in India’s freedom movement.
Some famous quotes by him
- “At this unprecedented juncture in our history, I have a word for you. Do not be disheartened by our temporary defeat; be cheerful and optimistic. Above all, never lose your faith in the destiny of India. There is no power on earth which can keep India in bondage. India will be free and, that too, soon. JAl-HIND!” –
- “We should have but one desire today – the desire to die so that India may live – the desire to face a martyr’s death, so that the path to freedom may be paved with the martyr’s blood.”
- “It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.”
- “Reality is, after all, too big for our frail understanding to fully comprehend. Nevertheless, we have to build our life on the theory which contains the maximum truth.”
- “One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives.”
- “Life loses half its interest if there is no struggle-if there are no risks to be taken.”
- “No real change in history has been achieved by discussion.”
- “Freedom is not given – it is taken.“
