“ Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Mai Tumhe Aazadi Doonga ”
Dear Friends,
These were not ordinary words but these were words that energized an entire nation! With the call of “Give me your blood and I will give you freedom” one man challenged the might of an empire and inspired a nation to join hands to free itself from the shackles of Imperialism. This man was none other than Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, to whom we pay our richest tributes on his birth anniversary today.
When we remember the glorious history of India’s freedom struggle, the name of Netaji Bose is marked in golden letters. His name is edged in the hearts and minds of every Indian. The nation remembers Subhash Babu as a brave soldier who devoted his entire life to his country, so that his fellow brothers and sisters breathe the air of freedom, liberty and dignity. Netaji’s organizational skills and leadership qualities were impeccable. He has the distinction of both working with Mahatma Gandhi as well as embracing revolutionary nationalism through armed struggle.
Gujarat shares a strong and time-tested bond with Subhash Babu. It was in Haripura, on Gujarati soil that he won the presidency of the Congress in 1938. When Netaji Bose started his own radio in Germany, Shri MR Vyas from Gujarat played an important role in its working. Also, it was a son of Gujarat, Shri Amrutlal Seth who chronicled the story of the INA in a newspaper ‘Janmabhoomi’ and this was the first time such an exercise was done across the nation.
On Subhash Jayanti, my mind goes back to 2009 when on the same day Gujarat ushered in a new era of technology enabled initiative of rural development. We launched the ‘E-Gram Vishwa Gram’ Project that provided broadband connectivity to the villages of Gujarat. We started this initiative from Haripura, the same land from where Subhash Babu gave a decisive call for freedom. This initiative has contributed immensely to our development journey.
Once again, I pay my heartfelt tributes to Subhash Babu on his birth anniversary. Subhash Babu’s patriotic spirit continues to inspire generations of Indians across the length and breadth of our Motherland.
Jai Hind!
Narendra Modi
