‘Netaji would be happy to see India becoming aatmanirbhar’: PM Modi at Victoria Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, where a cultural program was arranged to pay tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th anniversary.

Addressing a gathering at the event, Modi said that from now, Netaji’s birth anniversary will be observed as ‘Parakram Divas’.

“Coming to Kolkata today was a very emotional moment for me. In childhood, whenever I heard the name of Netaji, I used to be rejuvenated. Today, I pay tribute to Netaji. I salute this great son of India,” he said. 

“Today, India is moving forward inspired by Netaji. It is important for Indians to remember him,” he said, adding that Netaji’s “life, work and decisions are an inspiration for all of us.”

“Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose used to count poverty, illiteracy, disease, among the biggest problems in the country. These problems can be solved if society comes together,” the prime minister said.

Speaking about his goal of making India ‘aatmanirbhar,’ he said, “Our goal is to make India ‘aatmanirbar’. We can become ‘aatmanirbhar’ with our willpower.”

“Netaji would be happy to see India becoming ‘aatmanirbhar’ today. He would be happy to see Indians reaching greater heights across the world,” he added. 

Before reaching Victoria Memorial, Modi paid floral tributes at Netaji’s statue at the National Library in Kolkata. He went around seeing paintings by around 100 artists on a 40-metre long canvas on the sprawling lawns of Belvedere House at the National Library compound.