In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of the Param Veer Chakra awardees, 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar have been named on the occasion of Parakram Diwas (23rd January 2023). This event coincides with the 126th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, a key figure in the Indian Freedom Movement. Additionally, a National Memorial dedicated to Subhas Chandra Bose, commonly known as Netaji, will be constructed on the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.
Naming of the Islands: A Tribute to Heroes
The decision to name the islands after the awardees of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, serves the purpose of inspiring future generations. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for distinguished acts of valour in wartime, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. Some of the islands have been named after Major Somnath Sharma, Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, Nayak Jadunath Singh, among others. People now visit the Andamans to learn about Indian history, making these islands a potent symbol of the nation’s heroes.
Understanding the Life and Influence of Subhas Chandra Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province. He cleared the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination in 1919 but chose to resign later. Influenced by Vivekananda’s teachings, he saw him as his spiritual guru and worked closely with his political mentor, Chittaranjan Das.
Bose’s Contribution to the Freedom Struggle
Bose was an advocate for unqualified Swaraj (independence) and criticised the Motilal Nehru Report, which advocated dominion status for India. He participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and expressed his disapproval for the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931. Bose won the Congress presidential elections at Haripura in 1938 and again in 1939 at Tripuri, defeating Gandhi’s candidate. However, disagreements with Gandhi led to his resignation from Congress, followed by a stint as the leader of the Forward Bloc.
The Formation and Impact of the Indian National Army
Bose made his mark on history by forming the Indian National Army (INA) in July 1943. The INA initially included Indian prisoners of war captured by Japan in the Malayan campaign and at Singapore. As its ranks swelled to 50,000, it also incorporated Indian civilians in South-East Asia. Despite losses in battles in Imphal and Burma, the INA remained an essential symbol of resistance against British rule in India. After the war, the British decision to prosecute INA men immediately sparked nationwide protests, leading to their release.
Shaping India’s Freedom Struggle
In addition to raising the Indian National Army, Subhas Chandra Bose raised an infantry regiment called the Free Indian Legion. This consisted of Indian prisoners of war and expatriates in Europe and was formed with the assistance of the German Government to fight against the British. This bold move further cemented Netaji’s place in the annals of India’s freedom struggle.
In summary, both the renaming of the islands and the construction of the memorial stand as remarkable tributes to the bravery of Netaji and other heroes of India’s Freedom Movement. They serve to inspire future generations and remind us all of the sacrifices made to achieve India’s independence.
