PCC president Niranjan Patnaik in a letter to PM Narendra Modi has urged for inclusion of more personalities from Odisha as members in a High Level Committee set up for observation of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Sabhas Chandra Bose beginning January 23. The committee formed by the Central Government is headed by the PM. A gazette notification to this effect was issued on January 8. However, there are only three members representing Odisha in the panel comprising 85 members. As the High Level Committee will decide on the activities for a one year long commemoration, Patnaik urged the PM to take an urgent intervention and include more personalities including Governor of Odisha, Chief Justice of Odisha and distinguished citizens, historians, authors, journalists, jurists, experts, freedom fighters and eminent persons associated with Azad Hind Fauj (INA) in Odisha.The ancestral house 'Janakinath Bhawan' of Netaji in Cuttack has been converted into Netaji Museum by Odisha Government and memorabilia associated withgreat leader are being showcased there.
The Government of India should expand it and deliberations, documents, photos and memorabilia available with families of Bose and other INA members across country should be brought here on occasion of anniversary celebrations, stated Patnaik.