Subash Chandra Bose was famous by the name of ‘Netaji’. He was born on the 23rd of January 1897 in Cuttack. His father was Janakinath Bose and his mother was Prabhavati Bose. In his childhood, he was a bright student. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha. After completing his education in England, he wanted to get into the Indian Civil Service, but destiny had a different path for him. He had a high sense of self-respect. After education, he joined in the freedom struggle. He went to jail many times. He formed the Swaraj party and Azad Hind fauj. He became the president of the Indian National Congress. He had huge respect for Gandhiji but did not like his peaceful methods. He wanted to drive away the English out of the country. His enemies were always afraid of him. He was a fearless and bold leader of our nation.
Joining the Indian National Congress – (1921 to 1932)
Subash Chandra Bose at the age of 24 set an interview with Gandhiji, the leader of the non-cooperation movement. Chandra Bose thought that the way Gandhiji answered Bose’s questions was vague and unclear. Gandhi and Bose had different views when they first met. Gandhi believed that non-violent methods were essential and non-negotiable to achieve any goal. On the other hand, Bose thought that any means could be used to fight against colonialism. They also disagreed on the ultimate goals. Bose was interested in totalitarian forms of governance, which Gandhi strongly opposed. After that, C.R. Das played a role in getting Bose involved in nationalist politics. Although Bose worked within the Indian National Congress for about 20 years, he aimed to influence and change its direction during that time. In 1922, Subhas Bose founded the newspaper Swaraj and took charge of publicity for the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. Guided by his mentor, Chittaranjan Das, a strong advocate of aggressive nationalism in Bengal, Bose became the President of the Indian Youth Congress in 1923 and also served as the Secretary of the Bengal State Congress. He took over as the editor of “Forward,” a newspaper initiated by Chittaranjan Das. Working as the CEO of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation for Das in 1924, Bose faced imprisonment during a protest march in Calcutta that year. After his release in 1927, Bose joined the Congress party as its general secretary, collaborating with Jawaharlal Nehru for India’s independence. In 1928, he organized the Annual Meeting of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta and played a notable role as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Congress Volunteer Corps. Despite Mahatma Gandhi’s disapproval of militaristic displays, Bose continued his activism. After another arrest for civil disobedience, he eventually became the Mayor of Calcutta in 1930.
Bose’s Role in World War II
During World War II, the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA), became a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for freedom. In 1941, Bose escaped to Germany and returned to lead the INA in 1943, aiming to liberate India from British rule. The INA, comprising 45,000 soldiers, engaged in a bold attempt to oust the British from India in 1944.
Legacy and Sacrifice
Despite the brave efforts of the Azad Hind Fauj, the attempt to free India faced difficulties, Bose was reported dead in a plane crash after Japan surrendered. The legacy of the INA, with its ‘Delhi Chalo’ slogan and ‘Jai Hind’ salute, stands as a symbol of unity and bravery in India’s fight for freedom. In summary, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life tells a story of determination, political insight, and sacrifice. His contributions to India’s freedom, from his early years to creating the Azad Hind Fauj, continue to inspire generations, shaping the nation’s history and representing of freedom.
