Today is 23rd Jan ! On this day in the year 1897 Janaki Nath Bose's Dairy mentions "I rose early but found Prabha was still suffering. A son was born in mid-day. Prabha felt very ill - but thank God she somehow got through". Yes ! That's the day Subhash Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack - where his father was a well known lawyer.
Great persons are born great. Right from childhood every action of Subhash needed right explanation and documentation. He started his study in European style school. But soon he became uncomfortable and with their culture and started studying Ravenshaw Collegiate school. The headmaster of the school - Beni Madhav Das - became his philosopher and guide. Right from childhood he was inclined towards the spirituality. He became a strong follower of Swami Vivekananda. That was the time when his parents were quite worried about his studies as his exams were knocking at the doors. In 1913 Subhas appeared in Matriculation and to utter surprise he ranked 2nd in the entire university.
Calcutta chapter opened in life of Subash when he took admission in Presidency College. However he opposed bad behavior of Prof E F Oaten and which led to his rustication from the college. This incident had so much influence in minds of youngers that professors who suffered same fate in hands of students were said to be "Oatenized". He carried his studies in Calcutta's Scotish Church College. His elder brother Sarat Bose did necessary paperwork for this. He once again got first class and ranked second in university.
Sudden turn came to his life when he was given a proposal to appear for ICS by his father. Subhas went to England. There also his engagement with various groups were noted especially with Indian Majhlis. But once again his focus came to effect and he ranked 4th in ICS examination - toughest examination of those days. However he denied to ally with British in their service. His brother tried to persuade his father on this decision. He also communicated multiple times with Chittranjan Das during this period.
On returning to India he first went to Gandhiji and put a lot of question before him. This was followed by his visit to Kolkata. Immediately he connected with C R Das. Subhas finally got his political mentor. Both of them spend good amount of time in jail together. This is a real learning experience for Subash under CR Das' intership. It was even joked that Deshbandhu had an ICS cook. During municipal election CR Das became Mayor and Subhas became Chief Executive Officer of Calcutta. The team worked wonderfully on almost all types of civic issues - schooling, health centres, drainage, drinking water etc etc. The Das & Bose combination went well with entire Bengali population.
Sudden break came across when sudden death of CR Das shooked every walk of life. This was followed by sudden detention of Bose and his journey to Mandalay prison of eristwhile Kingdom Of Burma. He kept communicating with his family over letters -specially with his brother Sarat & sister in law Bivawati. During this period another noted Bengali writer - Sarat Chandra Chatterjee - wrote "Pather Dabi" (Demand of Road). This book had a story of a Indian freedom fighter locked in Burmese Prison. In prison his health deteriorated rapidly. Seeing no respite from any corner Sarat Bose took political turn. He placed Subash's name for upcoming municipal elections. The theme went as "Vote Him In, To Get Him Out". From prison he could not even release election manifesto. Subash's nomination was filed from North Calcutta against Jatindra Nath Basu - A stalwart of Liberal party. Bose brothers came up with thumping victory. But getting Subash physically released from prision of Mandalay was another challenge, which was countered in due course of time under Viceroyship of Stanley Jackson.
He initially hesitated to take the central stage of politics due to his health and wanted Basanti Devi - wife of C R Das - to take the responsibility. This was followed by getting elected as Congress President in Haripura Congress in 1938. And re-elected by 1939 in Tripuri Congress. From here difference in opinion with Bose started surfacing in Congress, which was followed by Bose's resignation. But during the active leadership of Bose, many important decisions were taken which helped Indian in long run. One of the decision was start of constitution drafting and another was initiation of five years plan.
Next comes the story of Great Escape. Subash along with his nephew Sisir - Dr Sisir Bose was a noted child physician - drove in wanderer BLA 7169 to Gomoh. From there Netaji took Kalka Mail to Delhi and reached Western Frontier by Frontier Mail. He crossed to Kabul and there he had to wait for sometime for their next move. He finally traveled as "Orlando Mazzotta".
He met Hitler and put forward his proposal. But during the same time Germany attacked Moscow. Netaji was not in favour of this action of Hitler. He foresighted troubles ahead due to this. Initially Netaji planned to get in India from western frontiers with army made of Prisoners of War of Indian origin in Europe. He was of strong conviction that Russia will help to execute the plan. But Hitler's attack on Moscow spoiled the game. Finally Netaji requested Hitler for a transfer to Asia for his next plan. He travelled to Asia in a submarine with Abid Hassan - one of close confidant of Netaji, who joined IFS after independence. Infact transfer of Subhas Chandra Bose and Abid Hassan was only documented Submarine to Submarine human transfer during WW II. It is said that Bose was the calmest person in the submarine during the journey. Bose utilized this travel time for planning his next move - especially formation of Rani Jhasi Regiment. I must say he was planning for Women Regiment - Medical Corp and Women Combat - when women were considered as a object to be kept inside four walls of house. His thoughts and actions were ahead of time.
When he reached Singapore the youth over there welcomed him with song "Subhash Ji Subash Ji, Shaan - E - Hind aa gayee". There he took handover of Azad Hind Fauz from Rashbehari Bose. Apart from this, Azad Hind Government - Provisional Government of Free Indian - was a near perfect Government during those times with Subash as Head Of State. This had written proclamation, currency, policy for treasury. This also had National Anthem - "Subh Sukh Chain ki Barkha Barse" - extract from Tagore's Bharat Bhagya Vidhara. This was translated to a simpler version by Capt Abid Hassan and was composed by Capt Thakuri. Just to note he insisted that the anthem should be made on military tune and the tune should have the capacity to awaken the whole India. Azad Hind army had well defined ranks and well crafted insignia. Azad Hind Radio was an effective mode of communication with mass. Netaji was a champions of international relations. Due to his excellent diplomatic skills, Azad Hind Government received recognition from eleven countries, including Japan, Nanking China, Thailand, Burma, Italy, Germany and Philippines. His March to Delhi - "Delhi Chalo" - was highly successful in defeating British in North East Frontiers and Andaman & Nicobar - was renamed as Shahid & Swaraj Dwip.
The long walk are never bed of roses but full of thrones. Time turned worse with surrender of Japan which was preceded by bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But Netaji was quite a strong decision maker. He immediately cleared all monetary dues of Azad Hind and took special measures for safe travel of Rani Jhasi regiment. Closure of a full fledged setup is always a tough call for leader but not to forget there leader was Bose. He immediately started next plan.
What happened afterwards was not the end in anyway. That was just the start. Netaji's mission was to awake the sleeping soul of India. Instead of happily servicing British empire, Indians should stand against the empire. Netaji was 100% successful in this. There are many instances same was proved. Massive protests and mutiny broke-out in forces where Indians refused to obey orders from British bosses. Same was the situation in Government Offices. Inspite of differences Pt Nehru also warned against any harm to INA soilders. Red Fort trial was real eye opener where huge gathering of people kept sloganing
"Sehgal Dhillon Shahnawaz,
Laal Kiley Se aayi awaz,
Tumi sob to umar nawaz"
Netaji's legacy exists. Whenever we think of a strong & dynamic leader with a clean image, no one can take the position of Netaji.
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