Watch: PM Modi unveils Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s hologram statue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the hologram statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, at India Gate, on his 125th birth anniversary.

Modi noted how the founder of the Indian National Army (INA) refused to bow before the British and stated that the hologram statue would soon be replaced by a granite one. The installation is meant to inspire “democratic values and future generations”.

Also, building on Netaji’s dream of an independent India, Modi set a goal to build a new India before the 100th year of independence, in 2047. Modi also echoed Netaji’s belief that “there is no power in the world that can shake India”.

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The Prime Minister further claimed it was his good fortune that this government declassified files related to Bose. He said, “I pay my tribute to NDRF & SDRF personnel who lost their lives while serving the nation”.

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Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already written to the Prime Minister asking that Bose’s birth anniversary be declared as a national holiday. There was some tension between the central and state government over the decision to exclude West Bengal’s tableau from this year’s exhibition. At the time, Banerjee had said that the tableau was also meant to celebrate Netaji’s birthday and the achievements of the INA, along with notable Bengali personalities. However, the Modi-led central government refused to budge, stating that the choice was unbiased and not all states could make the cut.

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Notably, the 75th Republic Day celebrations have begun a day in advance, on January 23, to include Netaji’s birthday. This year, there are some changes, including the ‘Abide with me‘ hymn being replaced with ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’. The hymn, which was favoured by Mahatma Gandhi, was played at the end of the Beating Retreat ceremony since 1950. Further, the parade timing has been shifted to 10:30 AM instead of the usual 10 AM start, to ensure better visibility for the flypasts.