Birthday of Netaji to be celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ every year: Union govt

Jan. 19: The Centre has decided to celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, on January 23, as ‘Parakram Diwas’ every year. This was stated by the Union Ministry of Culture in a Gazette Notification issued on Tuesday.

“The people of India fondly remember Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s unparalleled contribution to this great nation in his 125th birth anniversary. The Government of India has decided to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji beginning from January 2021 in befitting manner at national and international level.  Now, in order to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, Government
of India has decided to celebrate his birthday on the day of January every year as ‘PARAKRAM DIWAS” to inspire people of this country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour,” the notification stated.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had earlier, wrote to PM Modi seeking the declaration of the national holiday on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and “take decisive steps to find out what happened to Netaji and place the matter in the public domain.”

However, Trinamool Congress (TMC) is not happy with it. TMC’s Saugata Roy says, ‘Parakram Diwas’ has been announced due to elections in Bengal. Reacting to government’s decision, Netaji’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose welcomed the decision but at the same time said it would have been appropriate if January 23 was declared as ‘Deshprem Diwas’.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit West Bengal on January 23 to attend Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary celebrations at the Victorial Memorial in Kolkata. The PM is also likely to visit National Library located in Belvedere Estate, Alipore.

Earlier in the month, a high-level committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formed for commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The committee will decide on the activities for a year-long commemoration, beginning on January 23, 2021, a statement from the Ministry of Culture said.