“Netaji’s name is inscribed in golden words in modern India’s map. Where India stands today and poised to become a major global power, is all the result of sacrifice of the freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. We have got independence through sacrifice and his ‘balidaan’,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat called the people of the country to fulfil the dreams of Netaji and walk in the path of self-sacrifice shown by him, instead of being trapped in the shackles of selfishness and pride.
“Netaji’s dream is still incomplete. With dreams in his eyes, he sacrificed everything for the country. After independence we have fallen asleep again. Entangled in the trap of self-interest, we don’t see beyond me and my family. We are tied in the shackles of pride, division and selfishness,” Bhagwat said.
Emphasizing on the importance of remembering Netaji, Bhagwat said, “It is necessary for our generation to remember him on this day. We should follow his dedication and other qualities. He had tremendous love for the country, and nothing came before it. Complete sacrifice for the country—no ego or pride, country was of foremost importance. If we follow his path, then we will be able to progress and change the fate of our country.”
Netaji had shunned all materialistic pleasures and properties, Bhagwat noted and said, “Bose had a brilliant career of the ICS ahead of him. He shunned his career and did not consider his own career but the welfare of the country. He offered his everything for the growth and welfare of the country.”“In Tripuri Congress, he won with a majority. Congress was about to break as Gandhi and Bose had different ideologies. But Netaji showed a great mind and resigned and created his political power from scratch. He realized that British power should be weakened in the wake of world war and a different path should be followed,” Bhagwat said,Calling it “Utkat deshbhakti” (extreme nationalism), Bhagwat said it was his mantra and theme and he put country over everything. “Bharatmata’s all children are my children, brother, sisters and people-that is what he believed and prepared himself for that. He walked from Peshawar and crossed Hindu Kush mountains in those days and reached Afghanistan. He accompanied Azad Hind Fauz wherever they went. It was not an easy task,” he said.
“Netaji had a clear vision for the country and had a dream of “Sampurna Swaraj”,” Bhagwat said.
