Harpreet Singh Brar
Subhas Chandra Bose was one of India’s greatest freedom fighter. As far as the history of India’s independence struggle against the British is concerned Subhas Chandra Bose will always remain a key figure. Netaji Subhash Chander Bose decided to chart his own path towards India’s independence in spite of knowing how hard it was going to be. He revived the Indian National Army, popularly known as ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ in 1943 which was initially formed in 1942 by Rash Behari Bose. The assault by the Indian National Army, no matter how short-lived it was, was an important factor that eventually contributed to the British decision to stop their operations and shift back to their own land. This, in the end, did pave the way for India’s independence. Subhas Chandra Bose said to the Army, “We have a grim fight ahead us for the enemy is powerful, unscrupulous and ruthless. In this final march to freedom, you will have to face hunger, privation, forced marches and death. Only when you pass this test will freedom be yours.” Indian National Army carried out many fights and struggles to bring about freedom in the Indian domain. All these were only possible because of the highly intelligence of Subhas Chandra Bose.
He espoused concrete economic planning and showed the way himself. It also needs to be remembered that it was he who encouraged Indian women to play an important role in the activities for the freedom of India. A women’s regiment of Azad Hind Fauj was formed, which was under the command of Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan. It was called the Rani Jhansi regiment. The Azad Hind Fauj became the symbol of unity and heroism to the people of India. Bose motivated the troops with his fiery speeches. His famous quote is, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!”
Subhas was a great adventurer as well. His military exploits, unmatched patriotism and exemplary bravery have made him a role model for the young men and women of India. He still lives within our hearts and minds and works as a leading light and source of inspiration. He played a crucial role in freeing the country from the clutches of 200 years of British rule in his own inimitable way, much like the other leading lights of the day such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He was sent to prison eleven times during 1920-1941. Till the last day of his life as an active freedom fighter, he kept the spirit of fighting the British – even at the time of his death he was planning to migrate to Russia and find a new way to combat the British – and it is this persistence and patriotic fervour that needs to be respected more than anything else. To commemorate his contribution to India’s struggle for independence, every year on 23rd January, Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday is celebrated across various parts of the country.
(The writer is Main AFS
Road Bathinda Punjab).