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Need to propagate Netaji's legacy in schools and the society: Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs
Oct 21, 2020
- We don't need to reclaim; we need to revisit Netaji's legacy
NEW DELHI, 21 October 2020: Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs today said there is a need to take Netaji's message to schools and let our children, for whom independence is something to be read in the history books, understand how we came to acquire this freedom is of crucial importance. Without a comprehensive understanding and a realization of the contribution of those who made it possible, one will be found wanting in valuing that freedom he said.
Addressing the Azad Hind Haqoomat Day commemoration by the Netaji Subhash Bose- INA Trust in partnership with FICCI, Mr Puri said there is a need to give Netaji's message and visions a much wider resonance. "I am committed to working with you to furthering the cause of disseminating Netaji's message. We cannot reclaim his legacy; it's enshrined in letters of gold. We don't need to reclaim but need to revisit it and tell people about his legacy, his complete dedication, and how he immersed himself in the cause of India's freedom.
Mr Puri also assured the Netaji Subhash Bose- INA Trust of being on-board with the need to build a memorial in Delhi.
Brig RS Chhikara, Chairman, Netaji Subhash Bose-INA Trust informed that it was on 21 October 1943 when Netaji Subhash announced the independence of India from the British rule and established the governance of an Independent India while in exile.
Brig Chikkara said that there are many Indians that have waited for a century and more to see their heroes being recognized. "The millions of Indians who worship Netaji Subhash are thankful to the PM for the INA Museum inaugurated at the Red Fort," he said. Brig Chikkara urged the government to overcome all bureaucratic resistance and procedural hurdles to see the proposal of the proposed INA Memorial cum Netaji Subhash Centre for Asian Studies through.
Dr Bhuvan Lall, Author & Filmmaker speaking about the significance of the date said, "This is the date when Netaji proclaimed Azad-e-Hind (independent India). The story of Netaji is also the story of India's freedom movement. Our freedom movement was multi-layered."
Mr Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI said that the Trust and FICCI have been together holding the memorial of the prestigious Netaji Subhash Memorial lectures for the last 13 occasions apart from other events to celebrate and promote the thoughts and the legacy of Netaji and the heritage of the INA, whose bravery and sacrifices contributed to our independence.
"Netaji dreamt of India's destiny as a democratic, just, humane and prosperous nation. He believed that education and industrialization would make us self-reliant. FICCI has felt the need to promote the thoughts and visions of Netaji for India. India had today grown to be one of the most powerful economies of the world," added Mr Chenoy.
Ms Renuka Malaker, Secretary General, Netaji Subhash Bose-INA Trust spoke about the history of the Netaji Subhash Bose-INA Trust. "The trust is a non-partisan, apolitical trust. We have tried to involve all shades of political opinion in our struggle to highlight Netaji's legacy and his vision of a strong democratic just prosperous and harmonious India. Matters of national interest is supreme to this trust. The composition of our Board of Trustees as also our programs have always reflected our multi partisan and national beliefs and practices, she added.
Dr A Surya Prakash, Vice Chairman, Netaji Subhash Bose-INA Trust said, "This is a phase in our nation's life where we have to apply correctives to our understanding of the events leading up to India's independence. Many truths that remained buried need to be brought out. Until now, the role of Netaji and the INA has not been adequately acknowledged because of the predilections of historians."