On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his cabinet colleagues, paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 128th birth anniversary at Samvidhan Sadan. The ceremony included an interaction with school students present at the event, with notable figures such as Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also in attendance.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid homage to the legendary freedom fighter on his birth anniversary. “Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His contribution to India’s freedom movement is unparalleled,” PM Modi said in a post on X. He added, “He epitomised courage and grit. His vision continues to inspire us as we work towards building the India he envisioned.”
In 2021, the Indian government officially declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas to mark Netaji’s birth anniversary. The three-day celebration in 2025 is set to unfold from January 23 to January 25 at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the event on January 23, 2025.
The celebrations will honor Netaji’s legacy, featuring exhibitions of rare photographs, letters, and documents, as well as an AR/VR display chronicling his journey. The event will also include a sculpture workshop, a painting competition, and cultural performances that highlight Netaji’s contributions and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Films about Netaji’s life will also be screened during the event.
In previous years, significant tributes have been paid to Netaji, including the unveiling of a hologram statue of him at India Gate in 2022, and the renaming of 21 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago after the 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees in 2023. In 2024, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a Parakram Diwas event at the Red Fort, the site of the INA trials.
The Parakram Diwas celebrations in Cuttack this year will begin with a flag-hoisting ceremony at Netaji’s birthplace, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to his memory. The event aims to continue honoring Netaji’s vision, courage, and leadership as a key figure in India’s freedom struggle.
