NETAJI - THE DARE-ALL LEADER

Republic Day Special

Subhash Chandra Bose is one of the few heroes in the history of India who left the deepest impression on the minds of the people f India within a short span of his charismatic life. He was born on January, 23, 1897 at Cuttack in Orissa.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose occupies a unique position in the history of India’s struggle for independence. Although he was a member of the Congress, Bose took a different path in his struggle for Indian independence. 23^rd, January was his 114^th birth anniversary and he still remains largely unforgotten today.

Subhash was an indefatigable fighter for democracy within the Congress.  Mahatma Gandhi loved Subhash and Subhash had the highest respect for him. Gandhi called him “Dare-all Leader”.

Though Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have garnered much of the credit for successful culmination of the great Indian Freedom Struggle, the contribution of Netaji is no less, by any means. He began his political career in Calcutta and soon became the leader of the left wing of the Indian National Congress.

Bose was elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1938-39, but resigned from the post following ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi. Netaji believed that Gandhiji’s way of non-violence may not be sufficient to secure India’s independence and advocated aggressive resistance.

Over a span of 20 years, Netaji Bose was incarcerated eleven times by the British, either in India or in Rangoon (Burma). During the mid 1930s, the British exiled him from India to Europe, where he championed India’s cause and aspiration of self-rule before gatherings and conferences. In 1941, he escaped and fled to Germany. In 1943, he headed in Singapore, a Japanese sponsored ‘provisional government of India’ and revived the Indian National Army (INA), which was formed initially under Captain Mohan Singh in 1942, immediately after the fall of Singapore in December that year.

The provisional government of the Azad Hind was recognized by Japan on 23rd October 1943, and was also recognized by Germany, Way, Manchuko, Philippines, Burma, National China, Hungry and Croatia.

On 8th November 1943, Netaji announced in a press release that the return of the Andamans to the Indians would be the first territory to be liberated from the British yoke.

The Azad Hind Fauj (INA)

Finally, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose raised the flag of Indian independence and established his headquarters at Port Blair, on December 30, 1943 and declared the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the first Indian Territory freed from the British rule. (Read more here)

A proclamation was issued at Singapore by the provisional government of India, under the signatures of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who took the oath of allegiance to India in the following words:

"In the name of God, I take this sacred oath that to liberate India and the thirty eight crores of my countrymen I, Subhash Chandra Bose, will continue this sacred war of freedom until the last breath of my life. I shall always remain a servant of India and look after the welfare of the 38 crores of Indian brothers and sisters. This shall be for me my highest duty. Even after winning freedom, I will always be prepared to shed the last drop of my blood for the preservation of India’s freedom."

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Netaji visited Germany and met up with Hitler and other Italian and Japanese leaders. He sought their assistance in the fight for India's freedom. Netaji declared open war against the British rulers of India.

Netaji with Hitler

The Indian National Army (INA) fought shoulder to shoulder against the allied forces in Burma and eastern front of India and had confronted the colonial forces up to Imphal (Manipur). With the help from Germany and active support from Japan, they shook the very foundation of the British Empire. However, defeat of Japan and Germany in the World War II, forced INA to retreat and it, unfortunately, could not achieve its ultimate objective of a Free India.

Gandhi once paid his tribute to Bose in the following words: “The greatest and the lasting act of Netaji was that he abolished all distinctions of caste and class. He was Indian first and last. What is more, he fired all under him with the same zeal so that they forgot in his presence all distinctions and acted as one man.”

As the circumstances surrounding the death of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose remains shrouded in mystery, official documents declassified by the government say the revolutionary leader was a victim of an air crash on August 18, 1945 over Taiwan (Formosa). He was then only forty-eight years old.

No Indian could believe the shocking news. The nation still refuses to believe that their true idol of patriotism, Netaji, is no more. On his 114^th Birth Anniversary, various organizations, educational institutions, youth clubs other than the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, organized befitting programs at various places in different islands, paying tributes to the great hero. The 40^th Subhash Mela has been organized at Bakultala, Middle Andaman and Havelock Island, to mark the occasion.

Statue of Netaji at Marina Park, Port Blair

Today, on the occasion of India’s 62^nd Republic Day, it is time to recognize the grand truth: First, it was the Fall of Singapore in 1942, not the Quit India Movement that was the beginning of the end of the British Empire; and finally, it was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose before anyone else who was responsible for India’s freedom in 1947.

Salute to Netaji!

Happy and Proud 62^nd Republic Day!

JAI HIND!!!

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR - SIX YEARS AFTER TSUNAMI

Living with the Sea

 

Man has always been fascinated by power and beauty. He finds it both a challenge and an opportunity; challenge to tame the powerful and opportunity, to conquer the beauty. And oceans and seas across the world offer both.

 

Naturally, since time immemorial, large water bodies have always attracted mankind in various ways. Oceans and seafronts with vast expanse of water spread across the horizons – all the more so. Ferocious waves breaking over distant rocks with a roar, turning the shore white with foam and spreading a fine mist in the air around, is a thrilling scene to behold.

 

 

The gentle ripples whispering sweet nothings in the ears of scurrying hermit crabs in golden sandy beaches is an equally enchanting and refreshing experience. Seashores, waves and beaches have always excited and stimulated the poets, authors and painters to contribute exquisite pieces to their respective fields of creativity.

 

Oceans and deep seas have their own share of mysteries, myths, legends and parables – be it the mermaids, fire-spitting dragons, sea-demons, water spouts, whirl-pools baffling underwater currents or the scientific puzzles like the Bermuda Triangle. There are also the enticing lagoons, the captivating mangrove lined creeks beaconing the nature lovers.

 

Mangrove lined creek near Baratang Island (South Andaman)

 

Water sports have acquired their own dimensions over the years – adventure sports, more so. Wind surfing, yachting, kayaking and trans-oceanic expeditions have always allured the brave and courageous people. These events test the courage, endurance and spirit of adventure of the enthusiasts.

 

Swimming, the oldest water sport has lost much of its charm. Yet it is the first brush with water and that too physical and intimate one. It remains and will always remain man’s primary engagement with water.

 

Water Sports for tourists at Aberdeen Water Sports Complex, Port Blair

 

Sea or for that matter an ocean is not all about Cleopatra’s beauty or Wordsworth’s poetry or Michelangelo’s paintings. It is much more substantial. There is an entire universe out there in the sea – much more exciting and breathtaking. A whole world of plants and animals, the corals, the weeds etc. add life and colour to the mystery of the sea.

 

It is a major source of food for the teeming millions and so far, just about 2% of the seafood resources have been exploited. Various species of fish, sea-weeds and other organisms make a substantial contribution to manufacture of drugs and medicines. Fossil fuel and precious mineral-nodules hold a great promise to meet our future demands.

 

It is not for nothing that tens of thousands of people rush to waterfronts to get themselves refreshed and rejuvenated. The entire economy of small coastal and island nations depends entirely on tourism. Fishery is the mainstay of another dozens of nations providing direct or indirect employment to millions of people.

 

But for all the bounties we receive from the sea, what do we give it in return?

 

 

We pollute its crystal clear water, jeopardizing plant and animal lives, corals and sea-weeds. We spill millions of tons of crude oil when a super tanker bursts. We discharge all the filth into it. But it still bears all the torture with magnanimity and forgiveness.

 

Sea is, however, not a dead entity. It not only has a body but a soul, as well. It has sentiments, feelings and ego as any human being. It breathes, laughs, cries and demonstrates all the human sentiments. It feels hurt, injured, neglected and insulted when the people who depend on it for their very survival and sustenance ignore it continuously. It also needs love, respect and caring like any living being.

 

It can get furious, vindictive and utterly destructive when people fail to understand its displeasure and hurt; again, as we all do. And it did get furious – on December 26, 2004, 6 years ago from now.

 

Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair battling with Tsunami at 7 a.m., on 26^th, Dec, 2004

 

One can surmise the fate of this victim of the Tsunami of 26^th December, 2004

 

There is no gainsaying the fact that we have been neglecting the sea for much too long – to our own peril. In fact, we have been taking it for granted as a benign, compassionate and benevolent provider of sustenance. We took it that we did not owe it anything in return. Not even the necessity of understanding it.

 

There are examples galore to substantiate my point. Though surrounded by water all around, apart from gazing at the sea from the safety of shores, we have done precious little to go near it, touch it, feel it and roll with its waves. It would have enabled us to get a feel of the varying moods of the sea expressed through the temperature, ‘charge’ and the churnings at a given moment.

 

Humanity is engaged in a self destructive pursuit of material comfort, power and status to the exclusion of everything else. Attempts to explore and understand Mother Nature is no more a virtue. No wonder, we have lost the basic knowledge that such lowly creatures as rats, snakes and monkeys possess, leave aside tribes. The result is there for everyone to see. The tribes that were farthest from civilization, as also the animals, sustained the least or no loss of life.

 

A Jarawa woman showing her catch

 

Until a couple of decades back, fishing and hunting were the hobbies, nay a craze of a large number of local inhabitants of all hues in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But gradually everyone gave it up and the present generation hardly knows anything about it.

 

Swimming used to be a regular event on Sundays and holidays at the Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair, but now hardly any crowd is seen on such days. Even if children gather there to take a jump into the water and learn swimming on their own, they are shooed away. It is a matter of shame that most of the people in these islands of ours do not know proper swimming. Even those who know it, know it imperfectly that would not take them far in a crisis.

 

Our sports-persons participate in national and international events of rowing, canoeing and kayaking but in annual sports and athletic meets there are no water sports events. Such rudimentary event as swimming fails to get a place in the scheme of things. Although, with a little effort, water sports like rowing, canoeing, kayaking, yachting, para-sailing, water ski, pedal boating etc. can be promoted easily. It makes a good business sense too.

 

The Lt. Governor, his officers and the Member of Parliament with the Commonwealth Games baton, earlier this year

 

My head goes down in shame when I see people in the mainland of our country engaged in rowing and pedal-boating in lakes and we, with water all around us, do not have a rowing club. And, how many people in the islands can handle a sail boat?

 

A faint attempt was made by some interested people a couple of years ago, to get swimming included in the school curriculum. But obviously, it is gathering dust somewhere in the files of the lackadaisical administration, which is handled by the bureaucrats posted mostly only for a tenure of a couple of years on transferable basis by the Centre at New Delhi. Hence, the listlessness in the implementation of long term policies, the modus operandi of which is long-winded.

 

To add to the ill fate of the islanders, a flock of renowned NGOs like Oxfam, Save the Children, Action Aid, West Bengal Voluntary Health Association, Butterfly, Prayas and the rest, who ‘ventured to work’ for the welfare of the tsunami affected islanders of Andaman & Nicobar Islands after the fiasco of 26 December 2004, are also yet to contemplate working in the field of inculcating the fundamental protocol of living by the sea.

 

ICDS Centers built by the NGO, Save the Children at Car Nicobar

 

In the worst Chilean tsunami in 1960 spawned by a magnitude 9.5 earthquake, the loss of life was 3,500, simply because the people knew and understood the sea. We are installing Tsunami Monitoring & Warning Systems in a big way. But let that not deceive us into complacence.

 

Even if a Warning System were in place, I doubt if Southern Group of Islands could have been saved. Tsunami had hit within ten minutes of the massive tremor felt by the people there. There was simply not enough response time. In case an earthquake in Great Nicobar or Diglipur or Barren Island spawns a tsunami, there would simply not be sufficient time to avert a catastrophe.

 

Extensive awareness campaign and individual preparedness to face a tsunami and; the skill, in case someone is caught in a killer wave, would only save lives. In such a moment of crisis, it boils down to individual life and the individuals would have to prepare themselves to face it: Government efforts notwithstanding.

 

Today is yet another very significant day in the history of the great Indian Freedom Movement. These exemplary islands that once reverberated with the footsteps of the daring freedom-fighters, are today celebrating the 67^th Anniversary of the hoisting of the National Tri-color for the first time on the Indian soil by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

 

 

It was on this day i.e. December 30, 1943, that one of the greatest freedom fighters in the history of modern India, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had hoisted the National Flag for the first time at the Gymkhana Ground, Port Blair, the current capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, declaring the Islands, the first Indian Territory freed from the British rule.

 

***A big Salute to Netaji!!! ***

The intrepid son of Mother India!

 

And the last but not the least: a word of experience in retrospect for the islanders of the world:–

 

The sea all around us is a genuine friend of ours. We are destined to live by its side and also enjoy its bounties. Let’s do it with its leave. It will be a relationship of mistrust if we live by it but not understand it. And: love it.

 

 

Wish you all a

Happy, Prosperous & Peaceful

New Year 2011!!!

 

NETAJI GAVE FIRST FREEDOM TO INDIA IN ANDAMAN

Today is yet another historic day in the history of the great Indian Freedom Movement. It’s the 66th anniversary of the hoisting of the National Tri-color for the first time on the Indian soil by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

It was on this day i.e. December 30, 1943, that one of the greatest freedom fighters in the history of modern India, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had hoisted the National Flag for the first time at the Gymkhana Ground, Port Blair, the current capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, declaring the Islands, the first Indian Territory freed from the British rule.

The Andamans, at one time, precisely during 1942, had fallen into the strong hands of the Japanese, when they had made a fantastic effort and overpowered the British. And it was during that time that Subhash Chandra Bose had paid a visit to the terrifying Cellular Jail, during his brilliant period of escapade to various places outside India.

While in Singapore, Rash Behari Bose had handed over the responsibilities of Indian Independence League to Subhash Chandra. It was here that he formally announced the establishment of Azad Hind Fauj, and was christened ‘Netaji’. After conducting several meetings, Bose visited the Andamans and Cellular Jail in 1943. The eerie muteness of the place reminded him of the torture and toil the prisoners had to face in the hands of the merciless British oppressors.

And it was here on 30th December, 1943 that Netaji had hoisted the Indian National flag, making the historic effort to make the Andaman and Nicobar Islands free from the yoke of the oppressing British.

During the Second World War, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands fell to the Japanese forces on 23rd March 1942, when the ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy swooped on the islands of Ross and Chatham which were the entry points to Port Blair. Within the next two days, the Japanese completed the occupation of Port Blair, arrested the remaining British officials and established their own administration. It lasted till October 1945. Subhash Chandra Bose visited Andamans in December 1943.

Netaji took over the direct command of the Indian National Army on 25th August 1943. He inspired his companions in these words: 

"Comrades, Officers and Men, with your unstinted supported and unflinching loyalty, Azad Hind Fauj (The Indian National Army), will become the instrument of India’s liberation.... With the slogan - “Delhi Chalo” (onwards to Delhi).... on our lips let us continue to fight until our national flag waves over the Viceroy’s house in New Delhi and Azad Hind Fauj holds the victory parade inside the ancient Red Fort of the Indian Metropolis."

The provisionary Government of the Azad Hind was formed on 21st October 1943. The event was announced solemnly at a meeting of Indian representatives from all over East Asia at ‘Sathey Cinema Building’ in Singapore. A proclamation was issued under the signatures of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who took the oath of allegiance to India in the following words: 

"In the name of God, I take this sacred oath that to liberate India and the thirty eight crores of my countrymen I, Subhash Chandra Bose, will continue this sacred war of freedom until the last breath of my life. I shall always remain a servant of India and look after the welfare of the 38 crores of Indian brothers and sisters. This shall be for me my highest duty. Even after winning freedom, I will always be prepared to shed the last drop of my blood for the preservation of India’s freedom."

The provisional government of the Azad Hind was recognized by Japan on 23rd October 1943, and was also recognized by Germany, Way, Manchuko, Philippines, Burma, National China, Hungry and Croatia.

On 8th November 1943, Netaji announced in a press release that the return of the Andamans to the Indians would be the first territory to be liberated from the British yoke. After mutual discussions, it was settled that the defence and foreign affairs would continue under the Japanese government, but the charge of other departments of the administration would be handed over to the Azad Hind Government.

At mid-day on 29th December 1943, Netaji accompanied by Sarvashri Anand Mohan Sahay, Captain Rawat - ADC and Col. D.S. Raju, personal physician of Netaji, landed at the Port Blair aerodrome in the Andamans. He was received by the Japanese admiral at Port Blair. The enthusiastic Indians and Burmese also accorded a warm reception to him. Netaji went around the historic Cellular Jail where the walls told him, in silence, the woes of the political prisoners who were tortured there. He also saw the courage and enduring spirit that braved the vehemence of the British authorities. Netaji paid glowing tributes to the noble sacrifices of the Indian heroes.

On the following day, 30th December 1943, the National Flag was hoisted by Netaji on the liberated Indian soil, an act first of its kind in the history of the oppressive British rule in India. All the ceremonies of retrieving the lost territory from the enemy were held with joy, pride and jubilation. The national anthem i.e. the anthem of the Azad Hind Fauj (The Indian National Army) was sung in chorus by all present, which added to the gravity of the occasion.

During the course of the day, the National Flag was hoisted at the Gymkhana Ground at Port Blair and atop the British Chief Commissioner’s residence in the Ross Island, the then capital of the Islands. Netaji expressed the hope that some day soon the same flag would fly on the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi.

In a press interview in the first quarter of 1944, Netaji had stated that by the acquisition of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the provisional government had become a national entity in fact as well as in law. The liberation of the Andamans had symbolic significance, because the British always used them as a jail for political prisoners. Part by part, Indian territory would be liberated, but it was always the first plot of land that held the significance. The Andamans were renamed as `Shaheed` in the memory of these martyrs and Nicobar as `Swaraj`.

The administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was formally handed over to the ‘Azad Hind Government’ on 17th February 1944.

His historic visit to the island made a symbolic fulfillment of his promise that INA would stand on the Indian soil by the end of 1943.

A memorial stands today at the Andaman Club, Netaji Stadium, the erstwhile Gymkhana Ground as a testimony of his visit to the Islands and the indelible historic moment of the very first hoisting of the country's tri-color.

Salute to Netaji!!!

*** JAI HIND ***

Excerpts & stats courtesy: www.indianetzone.com

ANDAMAN NICOBAR - INDEPENDENCE DAY & NETAJI

Happy 62nd Independence Day!!!

On this supremely auspicious & momentous day in every Indian’s life, I feel utterly proud to share with you one of the rarest pictures in the history of Indian Independence.

Following, my dear friends, is the historic picture showing none other than Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the supreme Commander of the “Aazad Hind Fauz” i.e. the Indian National Army (INA) hoisting the then form of the now Indian Tricolor Flag at the Gymkhana ground (the present day Netaji Stadium) at Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the 30th, December, 1943.

It’s at this Gymkhana ground at Port Blair after hoisting the Tricolor for the very first time that Netaji declared the Islands the first Indian Territory to be freed from the shackles of British Imperialism, thus heralding the complete Indian Independence. 

For more details, CLICK HERE

BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE Vs THE JAPANESE AT PORT BLAIR

Hi, friends! 

Here’s sharing with you this very rare & mesmerizing historic picture of a poster that I’ve collected from the Andaman & Nicobar Administration’s archives at Port Blair. 

The title of the poster is – “Smash Japanese Aggression!”

This dramatic British poster depicts the scene described above the title: "Thirteen Japanese flying-boats were smashed in a heavy Royal Air Force raid on the harbour of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands". 

The artist of the poster is - Roy Nockolds.

Date: 1943.

Size: 20" x 30" 

Condition: Very good still with two small edge tears that have been repaired. 

To learn about the detailed saga of the Japanese occupation of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, something that my own family has suffered, here at Port Blair during the Second World War CLICK HERE 

65th ANNIVERSARY OF HOISTING OF TRI-COLOUR BY NETAJI

Hoisting of Tri-color by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Friends! As the New Year 2009 was knocking at the door, the Islanders bade majestic farewell to the year 2008 with a patriotic fervour by commemorating the 65^th anniversary of hoisting of the Indian Tri-color by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Andaman Islands.

Netaji at the Cellular Jail, Port Blair in 1943

L K Advani laying wreaths at Netaji’s statue, Marina Park, Port Blair.

Functions were held to mark the historic occasion on 30^th December, 2008. Tributes were paid at Netaji’s statue, 1857 Memorial at the Marina Park, the Battle of Aberdeen Memorial and Martyrs’ Column at National Memorial Cellular Jail in Port Blair on December, 30^th. The dignitaries hoisted the National Flag at the Memorial in front of “Andaman Club” which was followed by the Guard of Honour.

Lt. Governor, Bhopinder Singh hoisting the flag at the Netaji Stadium on 30^th Dec. 08

30^th December is very significant in the history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. On this day, in the year 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the National Flag for the first time at Gymkhana Ground (the present-day “Netaji Stadium”), Port Blair declaring the Islands the first Indian Territory to be freed from the shackles of British Imperialism.

His historic visit to the Andamans turned out to be a symbolic fulfillment of his promise that the Indian National Army (INA) would stand on the Indian soil by the end of 1943. A memorial stands today at the Andaman Club, Netaji Stadium as a mute testimony of his momentous visit to the Islands and the historic moment of hoisting of the Indian tri-colour.

Thus spake Netaji, the real Hero.

So, my dear friends! On this positive & undaunted note in this age troubled with evils like terrorism, I wish you all a very

Happy, Prosperous & Terror-free New Year 2009!!!

“JAI HIND”