'Chiranjivi of Bharat': RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale remembers Netaji on Parakram Diwas

Imphal, Jan 23: Dattatreya Hosabale , Sarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has termed Netaji Subash Chandra Bose as another ‘Chiranjivi of Bharat’. Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Dattatreya Hosabale on the occasion of Parakram Diwas addressed a public meeting at Imphal, in GP Women's College auditorium on Sunday (Jan 22).

 

 

 

 

He spoke on the topic "Netaji, Azad Hind Fauj, and Indian Freedom Struggle", organized by Intellectual Forum of North East (IFNE), Manipur, Dattatreya Hosabale mentioned, "Every year Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary is observed throughout the country and worldwide. The Govt of India has declared the day as Parakram Diwas, befitting the courage of the great leader which is a source of tremendous inspiration." Hosabale recalled, "Some years ago, at Manipal Deemed University, TA Pai, former Minister and architect of the university, in an independent project called 'Operation Leadership Development' circulated a very important question - who is the icon of youth?

 

 

 

He said, normally it would have been a film star. But when the result came out, two names came up - Swami Vivekananda and Netaji as ideals of youth. For their right choice, let's give kudos to our judicious youth. He praised the choice of the youths saying that the pages of history are full of sacrifices and renunciation of our youth. "We sacrifice our today for your tomorrow," thus says a INA monument in Moirang. He further mentioned that many name their children after Netaji's name. Many name their children after Shri Ram, Krishna & Shivaji for their greatness. This tradition continues and increases day by day. The reason is that this country reveres great people.

 

Hosabale added, due to his patriotic activities he was sent to jail 11 times in his lifetime. Every time he was released from jail his zeal was not suppressed. The fire in his mind was not extinguished. When Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were hanged on 23 Mar 1931, the whole nation was deeply saddened. When this happened Netaji took an oath that he would challenge the British. INC was the umbrella of the movement of Indian freedom struggle during that time. Naramdal, Garamdal and Hindustan republican Association with Chandra Shekhar Azad etc took the revolutionary path. The history of the revolutionary movement of this country was unique in the whole world. Revolutionary act was recognized as a patriotic act throughout the world.

 

 

 

 

 

The book by Durga Das explains that the great revolutionaries like Phadke and Rajguru and others were very much spiritual by themselves. Others like Bhagat Singh was associated with Arya Samaj. Swami Vivekananda and Nivedita had inspired these revolutionaries. Geeta Rahasya written by Tilak highlights Karma Yoga. Savarkar too was a great spiritual personality, so was Aurobindo, who started his life as a revolutionary and merged into a deep spiritual way of life becoming Maharshi Aurobindo. The deep imprint of spirituality is unique about the Indian freedom struggle. Netaji was no exception, Hosabale added.

 

Remembering the great hero Hosabale said, Netaji got sick in jail. The British thought, if Netaji dies in jail, that will put tremendous pressure on them. Thus he was freed and was kept in house arrest. On 16 January 1941, in the guise of Ziauddin he slipped and through today's Jharkhand, Peshawar, Russia, he reached Germany and then Italy. Both from Nazism and fascism, he was trying to avail scope for Indian freedom. Netaji was not a Fascist, nor a Communist, but was a nationalist, thus Hosabale praised him.

 

 

 

He went to South East Asia through two submarines and finally reached Japan to deal with Marshal Tojo. With the help of Japan he formed INA. Because of Netaji's dynamic personality Rash Behari Bose accepted to give the supreme commandership of INA to him. He too sent a message to Gandhi to seek blessings for his mission. The man, Gandhiji, for whom he left Congress, he had still undaunted love for him. That magnanimity came in him due to his deep sense of spirituality.

 

He further said, one Muslim namely Colonel Malik of Bahadur Group of INA gave a speech in Moirang and hoisted the independent India’s flag. There was a problem of ration, for which people from all walks of life contributed for INA, even women had sold off their ornaments to raise funds for the INA.

 

Andaman & Nicobar named as Swadheen and Swaraj after freed and with eleven countries recognised Netaji as Prime Minister of independent India showed his charisma. Unfortunately, Netaji could not reach Delhi. Japan informed Netaji that they couldn't help any morei due to adverse situations. There was an air crash when on 23 August 1944 Netaji was leaving for Russia. Rest dead persons’ bodies were found but it was unable to trace the corpse of Netaji. Many still believe that Netaji did not die in the plane crash. Commissions were formed by the government but reports couldn't establish the authenticity of his tragic demise.

 

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