SHILLONG: Along with the rest of the country, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 119th birth anniversary was observed here on Saturday. Rich tributes were paid to the legendary freedom fighter in a programme organized by the Greater Shillong Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the State Central Library premises.
On the occasion, UDP working president, Bindo M Lanong hoisted the Tricolor in presence of fellow party legislator Paul Lyngdoh and others.
Addressing the gathering, president of the committee, Naba Bhattacharjee said that Bose, the freedom fighter, had paved the way for the country’s progress and urged the gathering to follow the principles and ideals of Netaji.
Meanwhile, Paul Lyngdoh said that Netaji had a close tie with Shillong and the people of the Khasi Hills.
“There is a deliberate attempt, to bury under the debris of history, authentic national leaders like Netaji and as conscious citizens of the country we should not allow this to happen,” Lyngdoh added.
On the occasion, Lyngdoh also called for “keeping the memories of Netaji alive” even as he urged people to emulate the sense of dedication that Netaji had towards the nation. He observed that the independence of the country would have been delayed if there was no Indian National Army.
“Netaji belonged to the Indian National Congress but he was removed from that position because he refused to be a rubber stamp of one particular family who were running the country. He was from the Congress but not the Indira Congress, these are facts that the country should be aware of,” Lyngdoh pointed out.
He also said that for history to be authentic, citizens have to be conscious and be the guardians of history. “It’s our solemn responsibility to preserve the places Netaji stayed in while he sojourned in Shillong,” Lyngdoh added.
Former minister, Bindo Lanong recalled the attachment Netaji had with the Hill State.
Stating that not much was known about Netaji post 1945 Lanong said, “A Khasi army person, who served in Vietnam during the Second World War II, did not believe that Bose died (in the 1945 air crash).”
He further mentioned that in 1937/38 Bose, while addressing a gathering at Patna had said that democracy was found in Khasi Hills.
It may be mentioned that a hundred secret files, which could throw some light on the controversy over the disappearance of Subhash Chandra Bose, were made public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Netaji’s 119th birth anniversary on Saturday.
