As the country commemorates Parakram Diwas, which marks the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, there is a significant national focus on the revered freedom fighter. A social media account named ‘Modi Archive’ highlighted the deeper philosophical roots behind the renewed attention towards Netaji. Referring to a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 1997 during an event for the unveiling of Netaji’s statue, the post emphasized the importance of recognizing national heroes to preserve moral memory and shape the national consciousness.
The Modi Archive post underscored the role of national memory in fostering a lifelong commitment to the nation, drawing a parallel between the awakening of devotion in a village temple and the inspiration derived from the memory of national heroes. It mentioned how early convictions eventually led to concrete actions, such as the launch of ‘E-gram Vishwagram’ in 2009 by the Chief Minister from Haripura, where Netaji ignited the flame for Swaraj, and subsequent initiatives by the Prime Minister, including the installation of a grand statue at India Gate and the establishment of January 23rd as Parakram Diwas.
In a video shared by the Modi Archive, Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of understanding the essence of nation-building, urging a new resolve and awakening. He highlighted that statues of national heroes serve a deeper purpose beyond mere beautification, aiming to shape the values and lives of future generations. The video also showcased PM Modi’s tribute to Netaji at Haripura in Bardoli in 2009, where he initiated the ‘E-gram Vishwagram’ project to provide broadband connectivity to numerous gram panchayats in Gujarat.
The video further detailed how Prime Minister Modi, between 2015 and 2016, declassified all files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, ending years of secrecy. This decision, made after a meeting with Netaji’s family, led to the public release of crucial chapters of India’s freedom struggle. The unveiling of these files on Netaji’s 119th birth anniversary opened up significant historical insights to the public, marking a pivotal moment in India’s history.
