Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: the man of his words
By Navistha Vashist - January 19, 2022
Introduction:-
"तुम मुझे खून दो, मैं तुम्हें आजादी दूंगा"
(Hinglish: "tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe aazadi dunga"
English translation: you give me blood, I'll give you freedom")
The speaker of these words: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, he was a man of his words, he solidified the concept of "swaraj" (freedom) in people's minds. Netaji maintained an unusual ideology than Mahatma Gandhi, he believed that independence cannot be attained through 'non-violence' (ahinsa), which is the precise contrary of what Gandhiji thought, he was a supporter of nonviolence while Netaji's principles differed from this, he acknowledged that to achieve freedom- one has to struggle and fight for it and many lives would be sacrificed and would be taken to accomplish peace and freedom.
Life of Netaji:-
On 23rd January 1897, Netaji was born to Jaankinath Bose who was a lawyer (barrister), and Prabhati Bose, he was born in Cuttack, Orissa (India). He was one of the extraordinary and greatest Indian freedom fighters to ever exist.
As a youngster, he was pretty enthusiastic in his studies, he studied in the 'Protestant European School'. And after his matric, he took admission in 'Presidency College' and was expelled from this college as he assaulted professor Oaten because he made anti-Indian statements and offended the Indian students in the college.
He was encouraged and inspired by the people: Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna because of these two outstanding personalities did Netaji thought about India and how significant it was to work for it. He acknowledged that Bhagavad Gita was an outstanding source of inspiration for everyone.
At that time, India was not self-governing and independent. It was under British rule/dominance. Accordingly, the impression of freedom was stabilized in his mind. In 1918, he got his B.A degree from 'Scottish Church College'. Although Netaji wished to work for the advancement of India, he had to take off for his higher studies from India to England as his father urged him to, he expected Netaji to finish off his studies there and get an admirable job. Netaji completed his future studies at Cambridge University.
In 1920, he gave the exam of Indian Civil Services (ICS) and he secured 4th rank. He finished his ICS studies in London, His course was for 4 years but he completed it just in 7 months, and yet came 4th! And he declined to work even after achieving such a fair rank because he didn't prefer to work under the British government. He was constantly supported emotionally and financially by his older brother- Sarat Chandra Bose (1889-1950) he was a lawyer and politician.
He came to be the president of the All Indian Youth Congress in 1923, he was then imprisoned by the British government because he was impeached for instigating Indian people against the British government to get freedom. In 1927, after he was released from his cell and then he became General Secretary in Congress Party. 1930, he left for Europe spoke to other few politicians, and learned more about liberation. Meanwhile, in Europe, he also published his book 'The Indian Struggle' and the British government in London banned it because it provoked the people there.
He again became the president of the Congress Party after returning from Europe to India but later he resigned because of the disagreement in the ideology of his and Mahatma Gandhiji.
He disapproved of the British government again because he didn't want the Indian soldiers to sacrifice themselves while fighting and yet again he was held behind the bars to oppose the British government. He went without food (he refused to eat) in the prison and hence, he was released after 7 days.
In count, Netaji was prisoned 11 times when he protested for freedom.
"Freedom is taken, not given!"- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Netaji founded- Azad hind Fauj (Indian National Army: INA) in 1943 and he encouraged the Indian youth to join the army and fight for India and its freedom." Jai Hind", one of the most famous mottoes of India was designed by Netaji and was also the one to select Rabindranath Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana' as his preferred national anthem.
On 18th August 1945, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose died in a plane crash in Taihoku (Japanese Taiwan) hotel as a result of 3rd-degree burns he was just 48 at that time.
Thank you
