Why Do We Celebrate Parakram Diwas on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Birth Anniversary? | Explained

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ‘Parakram Diwas’ celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi on Tuesday evening to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose.

As a part of the celebrations, PM Modi will also launch ‘Bharat Parv’, which will be held between January 23 and January 31, to showcase the country’s rich diversity with Republic Day tableaux and cultural exhibits.

“Greetings to the people of India on Parakram Diwas. Today on his Jayanti, we honour the life and courage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His unwavering dedication to our nation’s freedom continues to inspire,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

What is ‘Parakram Diwas’?

Parakram Diwas has been celebrated annually since 2021, honouring Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and to inspire people of the 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 fervour. The inaugural event was celebrated at the Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack (present-day Odisha) on January 23 to Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Dutt.

In a notification, Union Culture Ministry said the government had decided to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary year starting from January 23, 2021 in a “befitting manner at national and international level”.

The decision was also made to commemorate Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s 124th birth anniversary and pay tribute to his relentless pursuit of India’s freedom struggle.

Parakram Diwas, which translates to “Day of Valor” or “Day of Courage,” holds significant importance in honouring Netaji’s legacy and inspiring generations to come.

In 2022, a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled at India Gate and in 2023, 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees and a model of National Memorial dedicated to Netaji which was supposed to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, was unveiled.

What to Expect This Year?

During Parakram Diwas 2024 programme, PM Modi will digitally launch ‘Bharat Parv’, being organized by the Ministry of Tourism to showcase the nation’s diversity with Republic Day Tableaux and cultural exhibits.

The nine-day event features 26 Ministries and departments highlighting citizen centric initiatives, Vocal for Local, and diverse tourist attractions. Platform for people worldwide to engage, reflect, and celebrate the resurgent spirit of the nation, this event will take place in the Ram Leela maidan and Madhav das park, in front of Red Fort.

The activities will delve into the profound legacy of Netaji, as Bose was known, and the Azad Hind Fauj.

Why Red Fort Has Been Chosen?

The Red Fort played a crucial role in the saga of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj. A museum within the Red Fort is dedicated to preserving and honouring the legacy of Bose and INA, which was also inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2019 on Netaji’s birthday.

The names of Colonel Prem Sahgal, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Colonel Shahnawaz Khan, are etched in history as key figures in the Red Fort Trials. Their commitment to India’s freedom struggle led to the infamous Red Fort barracks case, a landmark trial that showcased the unwavering resolve of the Azad Hind Fauj.