Even as the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is to be celebrated on Thursday, 46-year-old Zakir Hussein Hazari of village Korei in Jajpur district remembers his grandfather ‘s association with the legendary leader.
“My grandfather Abdus Sattar Hazari had first come in association with Subhas Chandra Bose when cholera was spreading its tentacles in the 1910s in many rural areas with hundreds of people perishing. He died in 1970. My father three years back donated the wooden box of Netaji to the Netaji Birthplace Museum in Cuttack. He also donated a lantern and stone glass of Netaji to Mohammed Mustaque, a lawyer of Kendrapada, who preserves the items in his museum in his house,” said Zakir.
A member of a Zamindar family, Zakir’s family members were well-known in the region. late Fakira Hazari Sattar was a friend of Netaji as both were studying at the Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack and Netaji used to come to their house many times during his stay in the State.
Subhas and Abdus’ father had treated many cholera-affected people in nearby villages. Subhas had brought bleaching powder and some medicines in a wooden box to treat the patents.
Subhas during his stay in Sattars’ house used to drink water in the aforesaid glass, says Zakir. Subhas had stayed a week in the house of Sattar when he was treating the patients.
In the 1920s, Subhas had also visited the house of Sattars and spent two days. At that time, the area was covered with hundreds of trees. Subhas used to take bath in a tank in the middle of the house and the Sattar family is keeping the tank in a perfect manner even after so many years.
Each year, the villagers observe Netaji’s birthday on January 23 in the village by hoisting the flag of the Indian National Army.
“My grandfather during his lifetime believed that Netaji had not died in an air-crash, Zakir says.