Soon to be replaced by granite statue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled a hologram of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate. The hologram would “soon” be replaced by a granite statue.

The PM paid tribute to the “Can do and Will do” spirit of the Indian National Amy (INA) leader saying the country would revive many such memories which were sidelined in the history of freedom struggle.

In a ceremony at the India Gate in the evening attended among others by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and  Urban and Housing  Minister Hardeep Puri, the PM paid glowing tribute to the “brave son of India” who, he said,  declared before the British that “main swatantrata bheek main nahin loonga, main ise hasil karoonga” (I will not beg for freedom but take it from you by my resolve).

Modi said it is a historic day on Netaji’s 125th anniversary  --- also  being celebrated as ‘Prakram divas’--- a digital statue is being unveiled- to be replaced by a grand granite one - that would, he said  “inspire present and many future generations and remind them of their national duty”.

The canopy where Netaji’s granite statue is to stand had once housed  the statue of British monarch King George V which was vacated in 1968.

In 1969, a move was contemplated to install a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru or that of Bose but a decision was deferred for one or the other reasons.

Reminding that “India is presenting with pride the heritage of Netaji”, Modi pointed out naming of Andaman Island  and a Museum there in Netaji’s name; march of ex-INA veterans in the Republic Day parade in 2019; unfurling of  national flag by him from the Red fort wearing INA cap; and starting of Republic day celebrations from January 23, the birthday of Bose.