Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2023

Subhas Chandra Bose, lovingly known as Netaji by his followers, was one of the most important revolutionary freedom fighters in the Indian freedom movement. Every year Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti is celebrated on his birth date, January 23. His birthday is also officially known as Parakram Divas since 2021. As the founder of the Azad Hind Fauj and the head of the Indian National Army. He famously said, “You give me blood, and I shall give you freedom.” So, let’s learn more about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, the person behind the celebration, and how the celebrations take place across India.

Significance of Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti?

Subhas Chandra Bose is a celebrated public figure in India even after more than seventy years of his alleged death. He remained a youth icon in India and a symbol of patriotism and valour. His birth date is celebrated as Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti all over India. This day is considered a government holiday in states like West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Assam. The central government announced that from 2021, his birthday would be Parakram Divas.

Who Was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?

Subhas Chandra Bose was born in 1897 to Janakinath Bose and Pravabati Devi. His father was an advocate by profession. From an early age, Subhas was patriotic, and many stories and accounts showcase his patriotic side from an early age. After completing his schooling, he went on to pursue a career as a civil servant. However, his patriotic side didn’t agree with him serving the British government, so he resigned from his post and joined the Indian national movement.

He was a prolific leader and worked with an underground group of revolutionaries out of Kolkata against the British. At the same time, he also worked as a newspaper editor for Chittaranjan Das and was eventually chosen to be the President of the Bengal Youth Congress. He rose through the ranks of Congress swiftly. In 1938, he won the election to be the President of the Indian National Congress, where he proposed the idea of complete freedom from the British.

The following year, he again won the election against a candidate backed by Mahatma Gandhi himself. Gandhiji was not fond of Subhas Chandra Bose’s revolutionary ideology. Even though they both wanted India’s freedom from the British, their methodologies differed extensively. So, to avoid further conflict in Congress, Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from his position and created his party, the Forward Block. It should be noted that even in disagreement, both Netaji and Gandhiji shared immense respect and love for each other.

In 1941, he escaped house arrest and travelled to Germany. He was not a fan of Germany’s racist propaganda and ethnic cleansing projects. However, he understood that it was crucial to ally with the Axis powers during the Second World War to free India from the British. In 1943, he was called upon by Rashbehari Bose to head the first Indian National Army, which he renamed to be the Azad Hind Fauj. He led the Indian armed revolution against the British.

There is some controversy regarding his death, but it is widely believed that he passed away in a plane crash/accident on August 18 1945. He was a staunch patriot and fought till his last breath to give India freedom. Even though his actions did not directly lead to India’s independence, he was a crucial figure in the process and one who led India through the toughest times and inspired generations to join the freedom movement. So, to celebrate the bravado and sacrifice of this brave Indian, the Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti date was chosen by the Indian government.

How is Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti Celebrated?

Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti is celebrated across the country. On his birth anniversary in 2022, the Prime Minister of India renamed three Andaman and Nicobar islands. It was done to mark the 75th anniversary of the first time the Indian flag was hoisted in India by Subhas Chandra Bose. Across the country, flag hoisting is a common way of celebrating Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti.

In states like West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Assam, where Parakram Divas are considered a government holiday, students and cultural groups organise events to honour and remember Netaji. You can find Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti images, and Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti quotes on the internet to better understand how the celebrations occur on this day across the country.

Apart from schools and colleges, special celebrations took place in different parts of India that were significant to Netaji. These sites include Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata, which used to be his Kolkata residence. He was on house arrest in this house before his miraculous escape from Kolkata to Germany and then Japan.

Celebrations are also organised at Netaji Museum in Kurseong, where he lived for seven years. Several INA museums across the country, namely in Morang and New Delhi, are also locations where special celebration functions are organised on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti to honour his service and sacrifice.

Wrapping Up!

So, now when someone asks, when is Netaji’s birthday? You know the answer and a brief history of the figure you celebrate on January 23 every year. So, make sure you take inspiration from the lessons of this brave revolutionary and apply them to your life. It will help you become a person that always focuses on the right path even during difficult times, just like Netaji.