Opinion

Brotherhood Upholds Netaji’s Legacy in Bisrakh

By Ratnajyoti Dutta

Posted on May 20, 2025

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Writing about Subhas Chandra Bose—fondly called Netaji—both honours and challenges me. His immense legacy, well-documented in history, makes fresh perspectives difficult. Yet, I find joy in exploring his enduring impact, especially on today’s youth.

Netaji’s journey—from Austria to Berlin, London to Singapore, and Kabul to Moscow—reveals a true internationalist. Despite his global reach, he stayed rooted in local realities and excelled as a revolutionary, diplomat, strategist, and visionary.

While living in North India, far from my native Northeast, I heard many stories of patriotism. One tale from Bisrakh village in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, continues to inspire me.

Bisrakh, wrapped in mythology as believed to be the birthplace of Ravan’s father, reflects a unique cultural tradition. The villagers, who trace their spiritual heritage to Ravan’s father—an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva—refrain from celebrating Dussehra.

Yet, alongside this mythology, the villagers embrace another source of pride: their connection to Netaji and the Indian National Army (INA). This village proudly remembers one of its sons who once served in the British Army but chose to follow Netaji’s clarion call of “Chalo Dilli”. He left the British ranks to join the INA, dedicating himself to India’s fight for Independence. His bravery became a pillar of Bisrakh’s collective identity—a legacy the village still honours today. To celebrate this hero and Netaji’s indomitable spirit, the villagers have launched a powerful initiative. They are building a grand entrance gate and erecting a majestic statue of Netaji. This statue will do more than mark a historical figure; it will symbolise the villagers’ enduring admiration and inspire generations to come. I felt particularly moved when I learned that the INA soldiers’ descendants have maintained a detailed database of INA veterans. They also actively engage with Netaji’s family in Kolkata, reflecting the deep and lasting bonds forged during the freedom struggle. Even decades later, Netaji’s leadership continues to inspire unity and selfless service.

The Jat and Gujjar communities of North India revere Netaji as much as Bengalis do. Many elders from these communities fought under his command, embracing his vision of national unity and sacrifice for the motherland.

As citizens, we must instil in our youth a profound respect for Netaji and his unmatched role in India’s freedom movement.

His relentless nationalism must continue to ignite hearts, just as it did during the freedom struggle.

Chai Pe Charcha

Whenever I get a chance, I make it a point to travel through the dusty heartland of our beloved country, just to meet and talk to people, do my own ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ and get an idea of what they do, how they do and what they think, how they feel. It is a humble effort to try to catch the pulse of the people.

While driving through western Uttar Pradesh, I met a retired State Bank of India officer in Saharanpur. A Punjabi born in Lahore—1,700 kilometers from Bengal—his parents named him Subhash Chander Mohindru, inspired by Netaji’s efforts of that time from as far as Berlin to set India free from colonial chains.

That moment reminded me how far Netaji’s influence reached, transcending language, region, and religion.
Living up to this legacy, Mohindru’s journalist son, Sameer and 9-year-old grandson, Vihaan, travelled to Kolkata in 2023 from Singapore just for a glimpse of Netaji’s Elgin Road residence and to get a feel of his daring 1941 escape from house arrest.

Such is the international charisma of Netaji that even today, the Mohindru family’s day starts by paying eternal respects before a Bose portrait that adorns the drawing room of their Singapore residence.
Singapore, as we all know, is also an iconic place associated with Netaji.

Janata Long Drive

You will hear many such stories, if, like me, you start a ‘Janata Long Drive’, by road through the length and breadth of India.

In a recent visit to Dehradun, I found that one of the leading roads in the capital town has been named as Subhas Road, where the Police Headquarters and the office of the Director General of Police are located.

Unfortunately, India has not always recognised Netaji’s monumental contributions towards our freedom struggle, as deserved.

However, the grand statue of Netaji at the historical India Gate premises has marked a perceptible change in the entire narrative of the Indian freedom struggle for the next generation to understand and explore.

(The writer can be reached at [email protected])