On 23rd January 2021, First Parakram Diwas or Courage Day was observed.Ministry of Culture and Tourism published the gazette notification to annually observe the 23rd January as Parakram Diwas starting from 2021.The day honours and remembers the contributions of Netaji towards the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressed the inaugural ceremony of Parakram Diwas at the event organised at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Background:
i.The government of India has decided to annually observe the birth anniversary of the Netaji as “Parakram Diwas” to honour the service of Netaji towards India.
Commemoration of Netaji’s 125th Birth Anniversary year:
Year long celebrations to commemorate 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose commenced on 23rd January, 2021.
i.A high level panel of 85 members, headed by PM Modi, has been formed to plan the year-round programmes to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.
ii.The Ministry of Culture issued the gazette notification to this effect on 8 January 2021.
iii.The committee will guide the activities and events in various places, in India and overseas, associated with Netaji and Azad hind Fauj(Indian National Army).
Events:
i.During the inaugural function of the Parakram Diwas, PM Modi inaugurated the permanent exhibition on Netaji and a Projection Mapping Show on Netaji.
ii.“Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot”, the cultural event on the theme of Netaji has been organized as a part of the celebration of the first Parakram Diwas.
iii.“Re-visiting the legacy of Netaji Subhash in the 21st century” an international conference and an Artists camp has been organised at the National Library in Kolkata, West Bengal.
iv.The Ministry of Culture has organised a programme in Cuttack, Odisha, the birthplace of Netaji and Haripur, Gujarat, (the annual session of Indian National Congress in 1938 under the presidency of Subhas Chandra Bose was held at Haripur)
Commemorative coin and stamp:
i.PM Modi released the commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.
ii.He also released the “Letters to Netaji”, a book based on the letters of Netaji.
Proposed events:
i.Indian Railways has renamed the Howrah Kalka Mail as Netaji Express.
ii.Tourism Ministry will be sponsoring the 2021 National Level indigenous games including Kabaddi Tournament which has been organised for the last 37 years on Netaji’s Birth Anniversary in Madhya Pradesh’s Narshingpur District by the ‘SahyogKrida Mandal’.
Facts about ‘Netaji’ Subhas Chandra Bose:
i.He was born on 23rd January 1897 in Cuttack, Bengal Presidency, British India (present day Odisha, India).
ii.He served as the president of Congress in 1938 and later ousted from the leadership due to his difference with Mahatma Gandi and other high command.
iii.He escaped the British in 1940 and left to Germany in 1941.
iv.His major contribution towards the freedom of India was the formation of Azad Hind Fauj.
