Chandigarh, January 23: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while unveiling the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose installed at a park named after him in Chandigarh today to mark the ‘countrywide celebrations of ’Parakram Diwas’ on his 125th birth anniversary. The Chief Minister said that today's occasion gives us a golden opportunity to remember the freedom era of our country and the pivotal contributions made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and many others who had made supreme sacrifices for country’s freedom.

“I call upon the Youth of the Nation to dedicate their lives for serving the country while taking inspiration from the ideals and sacrifice made by Netaji,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.

Despite heavy rains, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Gian Chand Gupta, Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli, Deputy Speaker, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Speaker, Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Vijay Kumar Sinha, Ambala MP, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria and Panchkula Mayor, Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal also remained present on this occasion, while similar programmes were being organized today at 75 different places across Haryana at village and ward levels.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an unparalleled leader who by leading Azad Hind Fauj had proudly kept the torch of freedom burning not only on Indian soil but also across the globe.

Remembering Netaji for his unparalleled struggle for mother India, the Chief Minister said that in that great era of the freedom struggle; when the county was struggling to get itself free from the clutches of British rule, Netaji along with his brave army of 50,000 Azad Hind Fauj had shaken the foundation of foreign rule.

“Forming Azad Hind Fauj and even Azad Hind (Shadow Government) shows his fervour and commitment towards attaining freedom. Netaji's speech which used to get aired on the radio at that time, especially the one in which he gave the slogan of ‘Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom’ certainly played a significant role in inculcating patriotism and indomitable courage among the youth, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that along with being a revolutionary leader, sharing half of his lunch with a beggar who used to stand outside his school gate, certainly highlights that Netaji was a kindhearted soul too.

“Despite cracking the toughest examination of Indian Civil Service (ICS) at the age of 23 only, as wished by his father, Netaji pursued his passion of serving the country, “said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that as the entire country is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav to mark the celebrations of the 75th year of India’s independence, around 495 programmes with a slogan of ‘Haryana bolega Jai Hind Bose’ along with Public participation are being organized across the State, out of the targeted 1500.

“Haryana's contribution in serving the country has always remained a matter of great pride for the state as even in Netaji’s brave army of 50,000 Azad Hind Fauj, a large number of youth from the State had made their significant contributions. On this day I also bow to the State soldiers who were a part of Azad Hind Fauj, “said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta said that today is a very special day as these days we are already celebrating the Azadi ka Mahotsava and now today we are also paying tribute to the supreme sacrifice made by Netaji. On December 1, 2021, this park was inaugurated and that day it was also decided that a statue of Netaji would be installed in this park.

“Netaji was a great patriot and an excellent orator. From the beginning, his life was dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and sovereignty of Mother India. He also played a pivotal role in inculcating the feeling of patriotism among the youth. He also visited many countries for spreading mass awareness among the youth for dedicating their lives towards serving the country,” added Sh. Gupta.

Netaji was greatly inspired by the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda and following the same he also dedicated his entire life to serving the country with the resolve of making the country free from the clutches of British rule and giving the status of ‘Purna Swaraj’.

“Today we should also remember lakhs of great martyrs along with Netaji too who made supreme sacrifices for securing the freedom of Mother India,” added Sh. Gupta.

“Today it is a proud moment for me that my grandfather Captain Umrao Singh had fought the battle of freedom with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and it is our utmost duty to pay rich tributes and respect to the supreme sacrifice made by Netaji. The youth of this nation should take inspiration from the life of Netaji and those who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle”, said Sh. Devender Singh Babli, Development and Panchayats Minister.

Meanwhile, with the celebrations of ’Parakram Diwas’, the R-Day celebrations have also been started. An exhibition on the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was also displayed in the park. It is pertinent to mention here that on December 1, 2021, this park was developed in the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Chief Minister along with other political dignitaries also paid floral tributes on the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.