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Demand for declaring Jan 23 as national holiday

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‘Successive govts did little to shed light on Bose’s life and works’

SHILLONG: Prominent citizens and political leaders cutting across party lines came together on Monday to pay tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 120th birth anniversary.
The programme on the premises of State Central Library was organised by the Greater Shillong Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthday Celebration Committee, which has decided to approach the Prime Minister to declare Bose’s birthday as national holiday.
Educationist Uma Purkayastha, who was the chief guest, referred to the leader’s visit to Shillong in 1938 and his speech at St Edmund’s ‘Cambrige Section Hall’ in September that year. “We are indebted to Subhash Chandra Bose,” she said.
Former minister Manas Chaudhuri, who was among the speakers, said Bose was greatly influenced by Swami Vivekananda and that he is remembered by people in a way that no other political leader is remembered.
“He is a person whose name propels us into patriotism,” he added.
UDP’s Bindo Lanong lamented that successive governments have not been able to do much to shed light on Bose’s life and the role he played in freedom fighting.
Also, not much information about his death was made public. Recalling the words of Winto Roy Mawlong, a freedom fighter who fought in WWII, Lanong said he had expressed apprehensions that Bose died in a plane crash.
The Committee wants the present government to do more for the freedom fighter and great political leader.
Naba Bhattacharjee, president of the Committee, said by the end of March, a signature campaign will be held which will be sent to the Prime Minister. “It is a signature campaign to declare January 23 as ‘Desh Prem Divas’ and a national holiday,” he told reporters.
Former minister A.L Hek too spoke in support of the Committee’s proposal to declare January 23 as national holiday.
Among other speakers were Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, BJP MDC Antonio War and UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh.
Mawthoh said, “Such leader gives a sense of direction and purpose. We need to improve the quality of life and standard of the nation.”
The rising incidents of rape and other forms of atrocities against women and children also found a mention on the occasion and War said, “If we talk of equality, then we must stand together and fight (such crimes).”
He assured that the State BJP would write to the Prime Minister for declaring Bose’s birthday as national holiday.
Later in the evening, a candlelight vigil was held in which 120 candles were lit in memory of the ‘patriot of patriots’.
Meanwhile, a similar programme was also held at Jail Road where residents paid rich tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

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