23rd Jan: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti

Born in Cuttack, Odisha, Subhash Chandra Bose was born in a well-off family. A brilliant student, Netaji ranked second in the matriculation examination and fourth in the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination. He quit his high-paying ICS job and came back to India from England in 1921 to join India’s struggle for independence. Initially, a member of INC (Indian National Congress), Netaji opined that to earn freedom, it’s necessary to wage war against the British.

He formed the Azad Hind Fauj, a military regiment designed to counter the British. With socialist beliefs and thoughts, Netaji inspired millions of youths to join the struggle for independence.

Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed 3 islands in Andaman and Nicobar to celebrate the 75th anniversary of hoisting the national flag of India by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In the state of West Bengal, most of the schools and colleges organize special events to celebrate Netaji’s birthday. Flag hoisting is a common practice that’s observed on the 23rd of January. Patriotic songs and anthems are hummed in colleges and schools by choirs and orchestra groups.

Politicians and intellectuals pay homage to Netaji by discussing his contributions to the Indian political system.