On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 127th birth anniversary, a look at the visionary freedom fighter

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on this day, 127 years ago. He was among the most prominent freedom fighters in India. His birth anniversary is also celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ or Courage Day. Bose was conferred with the title of ‘Netaji’ or revered leader in 1942 when he was in Germany by both German and Indian officials at Berlin’s Special Bureau for India and by the soldiers at the Azad Hind Fauj.

Early life and contributions to the freedom movement:

Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, Odisha on this day in 1897. He was the ninth child of Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. He completed his BA in Philosophy from the Presidency College in Calcutta. However, he was suspended from college due to nationalist activities in 1916 and later graduated from the Scottish Churches College in 1919. He was also sent to appear for the Civil Services Examination in England where he scored the highest marks in English and was placed fourth overall.

However, in 1921, he resigned from his post and returned to India to participate in the freedom struggle. He faced imprisonment a number of times between 1921 and 1941. During this time, he was also elected as the president of the All-India Youth Congress. Later, he became the president of the Indian National Congress in 1938.

He also formed the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA), dedicated to fight and oust the Britishers. A special battalion of female fighters, called the Rani Jhansi Regiment, was also established by Bose. Notably, the title of “Father of the Nation” for Mahatma Gandhi was bestowed by him.

Quotes by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose:

On this historic day, let us remember the supreme courage, sacrifice and dedication of Netaji towards India’s freedom struggle. Here are some quotes by him that honour his inspiring legacy.

“Give me blood and I will give you freedom.”

“Freedom is not given – it is taken.”

“It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.”

“No real change in history has ever been achieved by discussions.”

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”

"Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible."

"The secret of political bargaining is to look more strong than what you really are."

"We should have but one desire today – the desire to die so that India may live – the desire to face a martyr’s death, so that the path to freedom may be paved with the martyr’s blood."