Time to revisit our history text-books : Naidu

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on January 23, 2020, said that time has come to revisit our history text-books and to give adequate importance to freedom fighters from all parts of the country. Unveiling the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at Raj Bhawan, Chennai, on the occasion of his Birth Anniversary on January 23, the Vice President said that the history should inspire our children and they should read the life stories of the heroes of our freedom struggle.

Naidu expressed disappointment that many of the stalwarts of Indian independence movement, such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar, Shri Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Bharti, Alluri Seetharama Raju and Veerapandiya Kattabomman did not find adequate place in our history text- books. He said that the history should be comprehensive and re-capture our past glory and instill a sense of pride in India’s rich culture and heritage. Referring to the sufferings underwent by several freedom fighters including Veer Savarkar at Cellular Jail, the Vice President said that some people are trying to belittle their contributions, either due to ignorance or due to their leanings, according to a PIB release.

Calling upon the youth to take inspiration from the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Naidu asked them to strive for building a progressive, harmonious and inclusive India. He also said that Netaji’s vision and his nationalistic outlook can be an important guiding light for building a New India.

Referring to the diversity of philosophies and approaches in our freedom struggle, the Vice President said it was a bouquet of individual and collective actions ranging from peaceful satyagraha to more organised resistance.“ Even as Gandhiji was turning ‘ahimsa’ into a powerful weapon of our struggle, the likes of Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose continued with their efforts of unsettling the British,” he said. Although Gandhiji was not in favour of Netaji’s militant approach, he respected him and once referred to him as the ‘patriot of patriots’, Naidu added. Highlighting his leadership of Azad Hind Fauj, Naidu said that Netaji Bose unfurled the Tricolor in Port Blair on December 30, 1943, and declared Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be the first Indian Territory free from British Raj.

Recalling the close connection of the people of Tamil Nadu with Indian National Army, the Vice President paid rich tributes to Shri Muthuramalinga Thevar who was a close confidante of Netaji. “Shri Muthuramalinga Thevar was an influential leader who was instrumental in establishing Subhash Chandra Bose’s strong presence in Tamil imagination,” Naidu said. Muthuramalinga Thevar also launched a Tamil Weekly ‘Nethaji’ and was one of the founding pillars of Forward Bloc, he said. He had played an instrumental role in mobilising huge support for INA, he said. He also lauded the daredevilry of Lakshmi Swaminathan who had had set up the Rani of Jhansi Regiment in INA and came to be known as Captain Lakshmi Sahgal.

Lauding the Government’s decision to declassify all records and files associated with Netaji, the Vice President said that researchers will now be able to delve deep into his life and come up with many more meaningful publications on the life story of this great patriot. The statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose unveiled at Raj Bhawan, Chennai, has been sponsored by Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan.