SHILLONG, Jan 23: Subhas Chandra Bose, widely revered for his firm resistance to the British Raj, was on Monday remembered on his 126th birth anniversary in the state capital.
A slew of programmes were organised in parts of Shillong to pay tribute to Netaji on his birth anniversary, which is also commemorated as Parakram Diwas.
nonagenarian and ardent Netaji follower, Tushar Bhattacharjee, defied
his debilitating physical conditions to hoist the Tricolour and
offer floral tributes to the Patriot of Patriots.
In one such programme in Shillong, Netaji’s statue was unveiled at Meghalaya Hindu Mission.
The statue installation ceremony, which was organised by Meghalaya Hindu Mission Netaji Celebration committee, was participated by Secretary Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission HH Swami Hitakamananda as the chief guest and former cabinet minister Manas Chaudhuri as the guest of honour.
The programme began with the unfurling of the Tricolour by Chaudhuri, who was escorted by NCC cadets, following which the venue reverberated with the National Anthem.
It was after this Hitakamananda, accompanied by other dignitaries, lit the lamp.
Joint Secretary of Meghalaya Hindu Mission Shantanu Bhattacharjee, while addressing the gathering, informed that Netaji had visited Shillong twice.
Bhattacharjee also said that the Meghalaya Hindu Mission has erected the statue of Netaji on its premises to commemorate Netaji’s 1938 visit to the then Assam Hindu Mission.
Later, Bhattacharjee read out the written note about Netaji’s struggle for freedom before the gathering.
Meanwhile, Joint Secretary of Meghalaya Hindu Mission Dr. Binayak Dutta touched upon Netaji’s contribution in the war against colonial rule.
It was after this Chaudhuri spoke about the contributions of Netaji and explained how Netaji was ‘parakrami’ since his childhood days.
Hitakamananda then unveiled the statue of Netaji, which was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony.
He also informed the gathering that Netaji was inspired from the writings and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Hindu Mission secretary Biplab Kr. Das expressed his gratitude to all those who were involved in sculpturing the statue.
In another programme in Shillong, members of R&R Colony Welfare Society unveiled a bust of Netaji on its office premises.
The bust was unveiled during a programme to commemorate Parakram Diwas and was attended by the residents of R&R Colony.
Some of the highlights of the programme include unfurling of the Tricolour and singing of patriotic songs.
Meanwhile, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanhgathan, East Khasi Hills, in association with Metallica – Sargam Sports & Cultural Club, Meghalaya, Yog Samiti and Meghandini Mahila Samiti, Shillong, celebrated the day along with Greater Shillong Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee at State Central Library.
“The occasion marked with hoisting of the national flag, floral tribute to Netaji, repeating slogans, singing patriotic songs besides others,” a statement in this regard said.