Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released digital copies of 100 files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose following the government’s decision to declassify files on the freedom fighter.
The prime minister chose this day to declassify the secret files with a view of throwing some light on his mysterious disappearance.
Earlier on the day before releasing the files, Modi said, “Today is a special day for all Indians. Declassification of Netaji files starts today.”
He had also put out a proclamation issued by Netaji in 1944 asking Indians to fulfil their ‘duty’ in liberating India.
The files, digitised and given “preliminary conservation treatment” by the National Archives of India, have been released on the birth anniversary of Bose.
The release of the files “will meet the long-standing public demand” and “will also facilitate scholars to carry out further research on Netaji”, a culture ministry statement said.
The National Archives received 990 declassified files pertaining to the Indian National Army (INA) from the defence ministry in 1997.
Netaji, one of the leading lights of the freedom struggle, set up the INA during World War II to take on the British Indian Army.
A former Congress president and once a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Bose’s reported death in a plane crash in Formosa, now Taiwan, in 1945 has remained a mystery.
Bose was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Odisha.
Nation pays homage to Netaji
Several functions have been organised across the nation to mark Netaji’s 119th birth anniversary.
Netaji birthplace museum in Cuttack will release a special booklet containing rare photographs and information about Azad Hind Fauj.
The PM paid rich tributes to Bose on his birth anniversary, saying generations of Indians remember him for his bravery and patriotism.
“Remembering Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. His bravery and patriotism endears him to several Indians across generations,” he tweeted.
Paying tributes to Netaji, home minister Rajnath Singh said, “I bow to ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary today. He is one of the greatest heroes of India’s freedom struggle.”
BJP president Amit Shah also remembered Netaji on his anniversary, saying, “My tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who inspired innumerable youth with his bravery, courage and patriotism.”
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also paid homage to Bose and said that the nation can never forget his contribution to the freedom struggle of India.
Remembering Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 119th birth anniversary, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described him a man of extraordinary courage, a patriot and a charismatic leader.
“Netaji’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle will continue to inspire us,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.
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