Guwahati, Jan 23: The contributions of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose towards India’s freedom struggle “were either consciously or subconsciously downplayed by a section of the intellectual circles and contemporary historians”.
This was observed by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking on the occasion of the 127th birthday celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, organised by the All Assam Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Birthday Celebration Committee here on Monday.
“Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, as a personality, symbolised patriotism and nationalism of the highest order and his contributions towards the nation’s freedom struggle were immense and incomparable,” Sarma said.
Stating that the contributions of Netaji towards India’s freedom struggle were downplayed by a section of intellectual circles and contemporary historians, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been relentlessly trying to undo such historical wrongs through initiatives.
Crediting Netaji for taking India’s demand for independence from colonial rule to areas far beyond the perimeters of the Indian subcontinent, Sarma said, “Bose’s indomitable spirit and aspirations to see his motherland become free again drove him to take up unimaginable dangerous tasks and missions. The ideals of patriotism, nationalism displayed by Netaji continue to inspire millions of Indian citizens in dedicating their lives to the welfare of the nation.”
The chief minister also showered praise on Netaji for his role in preserving the cultural and political hegemony of the indigenous communities of Northeastern India, countering designs of altering the demography of the region by certain quarters with vested interests.
He further appealed to the youths of the state to imbibe the ideals of Netaji and work towards the process of nation-building.