Honouring Netaji’s Legacy: 10 Recommendations Still Gathering Dust

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the tricolour from the Red Fort on October 21 (Sunday) to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind (independent India) declaration.

It was on this day in 1943, Bose had announced formation of the country’s first independent government. Known as Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind, it was supported by the Axis powers of Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, the Italian Social Republic and their allies.

Though short-lived, some historians consider it an important milestone in India’s journeys to independence.

According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the Prime Minister will also unveil a plaque and launch work on a museum in a special barrack of the Red Fort, where Indian National Army soldiers faced trials by British authorities. Veterans of the armed forces, former freedom fighters, and some INA followers and their families are likely to attend events to celebrate the historic day across India, the report added.

Amid these attempts to honour Bose’s legacy by observing INA anniversary, researcher from Odisha Anil Dhir made a reference to some forgotten promises.

“Captain John Jacob, founder president of the INA Committee to the Government of India, had put forward 10 recommendations, but none of the government in the last 75 years has implemented any of these,” he said.

The recommendations are

() Declare Netaji, as Bose is popularly known, as the first President of India since he on October 21, 1943, had proclaimed the Provisional Government of Free India from exile, which drew instant recognition from nine European and Asian countries.

() Declare Netaji’s birthday (January 23) as a National  Day.

() Declare ‘Jai Hind’ as the national greeting.

() Include the INA National Anthem in all school and college prayers.

() Erect a life-size statue of Netaji in the precincts of the Red Fort.

() Issue permanent currency notes, coins and postage stamps of various denominations bearing the portrait of Netaji.

() Name at least one women’s wing in the Indian Defence Forces as Rani Jhansi Regiment as it was in the INA.

() Name one defence academy after Netaji.

() Introduce an authentic account of the INA as an integral part of modern Indian history in all educational curricula.

() Establish an International Netaji Research Foundation under the aegis of the Ministry of Human Resources for undertaking wide-ranging research in areas like international relations, defence and welfare economics.