In a first, India will begin Republic Day celebrations from January 23 instead of January 24, to include the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Republic Day celebrations will start today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate in Delhi at around 6 pm on the occasion of the great freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary.
“I bow to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his Jayanti. Every Indian is proud of his monumental contribution to our nation,” PM Modi said today.
"At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India's indebtedness to him," PM Modi said in a tweet.
सभी देशवासियों को पराक्रम दिवस की ढेरों शुभकामनाएं।
नेताजी सुभाष चंद्र बोस की 125वीं जयंती पर उन्हें मेरी आदरपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि।
I bow to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his Jayanti. Every Indian is proud of his monumental contribution to our nation. pic.twitter.com/Ska0u301Nv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2022
The Prime Minister has said that till the time the work for the "grand statue" of Netaji, made of granite, is completed, a hologram statue would be installed at the same place.
The hologram statue will be powered by a 30,000 lumens 4K projector. An invisible, high gain, 90 per cent transparent holographic screen has been erected in such a way so that it is not visible to visitors. The 3D image of Netaji will be projected on it to create the effect of a hologram. The size of the hologram statue is 28 feet in height and 6 feet in width, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will also confer the Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskars, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in the investiture ceremony. A total of seven awards will be presented during the ceremony.
Union government has instituted the annual Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on January 23. The award carries a cash prize of ₹ 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an institution and ₹ 5 lakh and a certificate in case of an individual.
The government last year declared that Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary will be celebrated as 'Parakram Diwas' every year. Born to advocate Janakinath Bose in Odisha's Cuttack on January 23, 1897, Netaji went on to play a key role in the freedom movement. He is also known for establishing the Azad Hind Fauj.
The Films Division will be screening two documentaries on the life of Netaji reflecting his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation today, said Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The biopics will be streamed on Films Division website and YouTube Channel, for 24 hours. The documentaries are: The Flame Burns Bright (1973/Ashis Mukherjee) and Netaji (1973/Arun Chaudhuri) which highlight the great leader's life and his heroic and relentless fight for India's independence from the British rule. The film Netaji uses the actual speeches of Netaji, synched with his voice.
