ITANAGAR, Jan 24: The 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was celebrated at Itanagar in a befitting manner on January 23.
The programme at the Govt Hr Sec School, Ganga here started with paying of rich tributes to the great freedom fighter by the guests from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The school principal Sosa Lowang inaugurated an exhibition on Netaji’s quotations and photographs which was followed by a discussion on life struggle of Netaji and a brief cultural programme, presided over by Ajanta Dutta, eminent litterateur and vice president of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 126th Birth Anniversary Celebration, Arunachal Pradesh State Committee.
The main speaker, Birinchi Pegu, member of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 126th Birth Anniversary Celebration All India Committee highlighted the bright aspects of Netaji’s life and struggle. Hailing him as the foremost pioneer of the uncompromising trend of Indian freedom struggle, Pegu urged upon the students and youths to imbibe the ideals of Netaji and come forward to materialize the unfulfilled dream of the great revolutionary about a free and classless society in India.
Prof Chandra Lekha Das, an eminent social activist and retired HoD, Dept of History, Dudhnoi College, Assam who was to attend as main speaker but could not turn up owing to her illness, in a written message (read by Dutta), said that Netaji taught us how to love and sacrifice for the country’s cause. Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) led by Netaji came very close to liberating the North Eastern part of India from British rule. Ultimately, the heroic struggle of Netaji and Azad Hind Fauj aroused the people of the country specially Indian armed forces who used to serve the then British government who revolted against the then existing system. This became instrumental in forcing the British to leave the country forever. She said that the young generation should come forward to materialise Netaji’s dream of a society free from all sorts of exploration.
Among others, the secretary of the State Committee Anthony Doke, Assam’s State Committee member Prajjwal Deb, retired wing commander Gyati Kago and the meeting president also spoke on the occasion. Deputy Director of Research Department S K Ghosh and Under Secretary (Education) Nomi Neog also attended the programme.
Earlier in the morning, after paying tributes to Netaji’s portrait near the DC Office, Lakhimpur, Assam, a motorcycle rally was taken out from North Lakhimpur town to Itanagar to pay tribute to Netaji. The motorcycle rally was flagged off by the Principal of North Lakhimpur Law College Bibhishan Pegu. The participants were greeted on their way by students and youths at many places including Naharlagun. Students from Naharlagun also joined the rally that ended at GHSS, Ganga here.