Parakram Diwas 2026 celebrations at Bengal to commemorate the 129th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata – the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful.

Governor of West Bengal, Dr C.V. Ananda Bose Ji, Director General, National Council of Science, Shri Arijit Dutta Choudury Ji, Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, Shri Anurag Kumar Ji, and others.

 I am immensely happy that this is my first official visit to the State of West Bengal and I am here to pay my respects to Shri Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji on his 129th birth anniversary. To be standing on the soil of Bengal, the land once walked upon by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Ji, Rashbehari Ghosh Ji, Chittranjan Das Ji, great women freedom fighters like Bina Das Ji and many more leaders fills my heart with pride and reverence. Bengal is a land that has given Mother Bharat, some of the greatest stalwarts and bravest freedom fighters. From revolutionaries who dared the gallows to thinkers who stirred the nation’s soul, Bengal has stood at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle. Just before I came here, I visited the Netaji Birthplace Museum at Cuttack. It was my intense personal desire to visit the birthplace of Netaji on Parakram Diwas. There I had inaugurated the exhibition, Netaji Smriti Bhawan and a postal stamp gallery at the Museum.

The observance of Parakram Diwas in honour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Ji is more than a tribute. It is a transmission of courage across generations. By remembering Netaji’s fearless spirit and supreme sacrifice on this day, we ignite in our youth the values of discipline, self-belief, and patriotism. Parakram Diwas reminds us that the freedom we have inherited must be protected with the same parākram with which it was won. I was deeply moved by Netaji’s and his INA souvenirs displayed at the Victoria Memorial Hall. Each of these items carries not just historical value, but the pulse of a nation in struggle. The fountain pen used by Netaji is a silent witness to decisions that shaped destiny. The words written with it carried the weight of freedom and sacrifice. The INA badges are sacred symbols of courage, unity, and unwavering loyalty to Mother India, worn by those who chose honour over safety and freedom over fear. I always say this to the audience “Living for oneself is not a sin, but living only for self is a sin.” Today, we are commemorating the birth anniversary of a noble great soul who lived for one vision: To see Mother Bharat free on her own terms. He was an achiever who could have chosen a path of comfort. He had passed the Indian Civil Service Exams but gave it up to become a freedom fighter.

At the peak of his life, he was also elected as the President of the Indian National Congress, but relinquished it. Netaji was courageous to sail into uncharted waters and set an alternate narrative in India’s freedom movement. When the entire mainstream leadership supported Britain’s war efforts, he set an alternate pathway. He started to mobilise the Azad Hind Fauj to fight for the Mother Bharat. Netaji shared deep connection with the South, especially Tamil Nadu. This is evident from the roll call of the soldiers in INA who hailed from districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, Sivaganga and several other districts of Tamil Nadu. He found a close associate in Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, who is also fondly referred to as ‘Bose of South India’. Netaji’s spirit and love of freedom for Mother Bharat cuts across barriers of distance and language. This was Netaji’s greatness. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shriman Narendra Modiji took the initiative to recognise unsung heroes of the freedom struggle during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It was during that time in 2021, Shriman Modi Ji announced that every year, January 23rd – the birth anniversary of Netaji shall be celebrated as the Parakram Diwas. I am happy to note that the Ministry of Culture, Government of India have organised a series of events.

I am pleased to see that cultural programme on the theme Jai Hind The Call of a Revolutionary which includes Army Band of Eastern Command, dance performances led by Shrimathi Dona Ganguly and sangeet performances, has also been arranged. I express my deep appreciation for all the participants of the cultural programme. Parakram Diwas holds deep significance for the younger generations. It connects them to the spirit of courage, discipline, and self-belief embodied by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It reminds young minds that freedom was earned through sacrifice and fearless action and should not be taken for granted. It will inspire the youth working towards a Viksit Bharat to rise above fear, to take responsibility for the nation’s future, and focus their energy and talent towards building a strong, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Jai Maa Kaali! Jai Hind! Long Live Mother Bharat!