Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said India’s history should not be distorted and the original one should be presented before the present generation. She garlanded the statue of Netaji on Red Road to celebrate his birthday which was observed with great enthusiasm across the state.
Miss Banerjee said, “We must highlight the true documented past of India and not tamper with our history,” she said. She inaugurated Sufal Bangla and said it was done to pay respect to Netaji who wanted the farmers to be selfreliant.
She further maintained that in West Bengal the materials needed for school uniforms for students of staterun and sponsored schools come from external stakeholders. Banerjee said, “Netaji is the guiding light for us. He is the hero who fought for our freedom struggle. He is still with us. He is here forever.” Miss Banerjee remembered the contribution of the Indian National Army.
She regretted that the Planning Commission which was first conceived by Nataji did not exist now. She said Netaji’s ideology should be followed in politics and there should be cordial relationships among the politicians and they should not use unparliamentary words. She reiterated that the unity of India should be preserved and her democratic ferver should be highlighted.
“Netaji had respect for people belonging to different caste, religion and creed and this should be preserved as a mark of respect to him.” Sobhandeb Chattopdhyay, state parliamentary affair minister, garlanded the portrait of Netaji at the Assembly. At Mahajati Sadan which was set up by Netaji, a seminar on the life and works of Netaji was held.
The speakers urged the younger generation to follow the path shown by Netaji. In Kolkata Municipal Corporation, where Netaji was the CEO and then mayor, Firhad Hakim garlanded his portrait. Colourful processions were taken out in the morning to observe the day. School students took part in the rallies and sang patriotic songs.
They remembered those who had sacrificed their lives to make India free. In north Kolkata, telebhaja (evening snack) was distributed among customers from the shop of Lakshminarayan Shau. It is said that Netaji used to visit the shop and took home mouth watering telebhaja after attending political rallies in north Kolkata.
Netaji statue at five point crossing was garlanded in the morning. People visited Netaji Bhawan on Elgin Road from where he left the country incognito. The German car, Wanderer, which was used by him and driven by Dr Shisir Bose, his nephew, has been kept at the house.