Parakram Diwas 2024: Modi celebrates the 126th birth Anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose 

Parakram Diwas 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually at the event to name the largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on the occasion of the Parakram Diwas. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This was done to commemorate the 126th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter. In 2021, the Government decided to declare 23rd January as Parakram to commemorate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 

In an official release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Modi unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to be built on Ross Island, which is now officially known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. This renaming was done by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the Island in 2018. Additionally, Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, respectively. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Port Blair on January 22, 2024, for a two-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was scheduled to address a public meeting on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary, and to take stock of development activities in the archipelago. As part of his schedule, Shah is likely to hoist the national flag during the day and deliver a public speech at Netaji Stadium, the same place where the freedom fighter had unfurled the Tricolor on December 30, 1943. 

Prime Minister virtually inaugurates the memorial: 

The proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be set up on Ross Island, which had been renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep in 2018. 

The proposed National Memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will feature a museum, a cable car ropeway, a laser-and-sound show, a guided heritage trail through historical buildings, and a theme-based children’s amusement park, as well as a retro lounge, according to an official. Following the virtual inauguration of the model, Prime Minister Modi will give a speech to the nation. The official also said that the central government has taken this initiative to honor the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, of which 16 islands are located in the North and Middle Andaman district, and five in the South Andaman district. 

21 islands to be named after Param Vir Chakra awardees: 

21 islands have been named after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. The Param Vir Chakra is the highest military decoration in India. It is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. It is equivalent to the British Victoria Cross and the American Medal of Honor. 

As of 2021, only 21 soldiers had been awarded Param Vir Chakra. To remember and honor the valiant sacrifices PM Modi announced renaming 21 islands in Andaman and Nicobar after the Param Vir Chakra’s awardees. The 21 islands renamed after the brave warriors will remain as an inspiration source and invoke a sense of patriotism for generations to come. 

Prime Minister Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, leaders of parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, members of parliament, former members of parliament, and other dignitaries will pay floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of the Parliament House. 

President Droupadi Murmu paid her homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, calling him one of the greatest sons of Bharat Mata. On Parakram Diwas, a day to commemorate Netaji’s birthday, President Murmu paid tribute to his exceptional courage and patriotism and acknowledged that millions joined the struggle for India’s freedom under his leadership. She also tweeted that Indians will remain forever indebted to him. 

Opposition lauds and remembers Netaji: 

The Congress party also paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 126th birth anniversary. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in a tweet said that Netaji was a former president of the Indian National Congress, founder of Azad Hind Fauj, and an idol for many. He said that Netaji’s proclamation of “Jai Hind” and “Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga” awakened everyone to true devotion to the motherland.  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 126th birth anniversary. 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, and played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement. He established the Azad Hind Fauj, a group of Indian soldiers that fought for India’s independence from the British Empire during World War II. 

On his birthday, his selfless contributions to India’s freedom movement, and his leadership, courage, and patriotism will often be remembered. Netaji continues to inspire many Indians and his legacy lives on.