Parakram Diwas: Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary

Context

Recently, India celebrated the 125th Birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose On January 23. His birth anniversary is also marked as “Parakram Diwas or Courage Day.

• This day was announced in 2021.

What is Parakram Divas and why is it celebrated today?

• In order to honour and remember Netaji's indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, the government decided to celebrate his birthday on the 23rd day of January every year as Parakram Diwas.
• The day aims to inspire people of this country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic favour. 

Important facts about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

• He was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa. 
• His father Janaki Nath Bose was a famous lawyer and his mother Prabhavati Devi was a pious and religious lady. 
• He was a brilliant student right from childhood.
• He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student. 
• He was affectionately called as Netaji and he was one among the prominent leaders of the Indian freedom struggle.
• He was a stalwart who committed himself to ensure every Indian leads a life of dignity. 
• He was known in particular for his militant approach to independence and for his push for socialist policies.
• He was also known for his intellectual prowess and organisational skills. 
• Netaji started a newspaper called “Swaraj”.
• He had written a book called “The Indian Struggle”. The book covers the Indian Independence movement between 1920 and 1942.
• Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) was founded by him to overthrow the British Empire from India. 
• He was also an active part of the youth wing of Indian National Congress (INC).Netaji joined the Indian National Congress in 1921.
• Between 1938 to 1939, he was also the President of the INC.
• The term “Jai Hind” was coined by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• With the slogan “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”, he awakened the country towards fighting against the British.