Category: Education

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Born Patriot and Selfless Leader

Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

Former Professor& Head (CPME)

NIRD &PR (Govt. of India),

Hyderabad-500 030

Telangana, India

Email <shankarjagu@gmail.com>

 

On 23 January 1897, a legendary figure, a great patriot and a selfless leader of undivided India was born in Cuttack of present Odisha who is popularly known as Netaji with full name Subhas Chandra Bose.  Netaji   Subhas Chandra Bose is still respected not only in India but also in Bangladesh and Pakistan for his immense contribution in freedom movement. While I was in abroad as faculty many Pakistani and Bangladeshi academicians told me in this regard.   

netaji-subhas-chandra-bose-jayanti
netaji-subhas-chandra-bose-jayanti

     Netaji’s patriotic feelings can be understood by this quotation, ‘You give me your blood and I will give you Independence!’ He stated if ‘you are willing to die for a cause without regard to your own wants or desires that is as close as you can get to invincibility. Even if your physical body is killed, your efforts and ideas will live on’. He had the opinion that ‘Independence is rarely obtained through peaceful means. Conflict is often the only way to gain freedom or revolution’.

Netaji Subhas with heart and soul was Indian and never tolerated any foreigner talking against Indians. In this context, an incident may be cited. He thrashed a British Professor E.F. Otten in the Presidency College of Calcutta in 1916 for Prof Otten’s racist remark against Indians and for this Subhas Chandra had to suffer also, however with the intervention of Indian scholars and other stalwarts the matter was resolved.

   During freedom struggle many persons participated –some were in the forefronts and some were in behind, many lost their lives and many were crippled, many were mentally disturbed and finally we became independent nation so we are grateful to all of them. Also Indian National Army/Azad Hind Fouz’s contribution under the leadership of Netaji Subhas was massive.  The Congress Government after independence always highlighted few leaders’ contribution towards freedom movement but not much about Netaji’s contribution. On the other hand, the British acknowledged Subhas Bose’s contribution.  Clement Richard Attlee, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951 and the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955 agreed Netaji was the toughest challenge to the British Empire faced.  In 1956, Clement Attlee came to India and stayed in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as a guest of then Governor, P.B. Chakraborty who was at that time Chief Justice of Calcutta High court and acting Governor of West Bengal. He asked Sir Attlee “… since Gandhi’s Quit India movement had tapered off quite some time ago and in 1947 no such new compelling situation had arisen that would necessitate a hasty British departure, why did they had to leave?” As stated by Chakraborty “In his reply Attlee cited several reasons, the main among them being the erosion of loyalty to the British crown among the Indian Army and Navy personnel as a result of the military activities of Subhas Chandra Bose”.

Lt General S.K. Sinha, former Governor of Assam and J & K, one of the only three Indian officers posted in the Directorate of Military Operations in New Delhi in 1946, made his observation in 1976. “There was considerable sympathy for the INA within the Army… It is true that fears of another 1857 had begun to haunt the British in 1946.” In this regard Dr. Ambedkar-saheb may also be referred “two things led the Labour party to take this decision” (to free India). According to Dr Ambedkar saheb, “The national army that was raised by Subhas Chandra Bose. The British had been ruling the country in the firm belief that whatever may happen in the country or whatever the politicians do, they will never be able to change the loyalty of soldiers. That was one prop on which they were carrying on the administration. And that was completely dashed to pieces. They found that soldiers could be seduced to form a party- a battalion to blow off the British.”

Subhas Chandra Bose was a great human being also and had never had ill feelings towards any leader of then Congress party. In this context, Ashis Ray’s article published on 12 November 2019 may be quoted. “Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, charismatic stalwarts of the Congress and the Indian struggle for Independence, were comrades, not adversaries. In June 1935, when the former (Nehru) was imprisoned in India, his wife Kamala needed to go to Europe for treatment of tuberculosis. Bose, who had been exiled to Europe by the British, unsurprisingly took charge by accompanying her from Vienna to Prague where she was to receive initial medical care. With Kamala’s condition deteriorating, the British permitted Nehru to join her. She was moved to Badenweiler, a Black Forest resort in Germany. Bose messaged Nehru: “If I can be of any service in your present trouble, I hope you will not hesitate to send for me.” Eventually Kamala was shifted to Lausanne in Switzerland, where she prematurely passed away in 1936 in the presence of her husband, daughter Indira and Bose” (www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/jawaharlal-nehru-and-subhas-chandra-bose-politics-never-affected-their-personal-ties).

On the auspicious occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday, Pronam to this great soul.

‘National Farmer’s Day: 23 December’ in India | ‘Kisan Diwas’ (157 Words)

In India, ‘National Farmer’s Day’ is celebrated on 23rd December every year. It is the birthday of Former Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Charan Singh. Chaudhary Charan Singh was born on 23 December 1902.

Chaudhary Charan Singh was the fifth Prime Minister of the India. He served country as Prime Minister from 28 July 1979 until 14 January 1980. His life was very simple and he contributed a lot to improvise the life of Indian farmers. He came out with various initiatives in favor of farmers. Passionate appeal and magnetic persona of Chaudhary Charan Singh united all the farmers against the moneylenders and landlords. He gave the slogan-‘Jai Jawaan Jai Kisan’. He was also a very effective writer and penned his thoughts on farmers and their problems and solutions.

Farmer’s Day is celebrated throughout the country. It is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day various agricultural events, seminars, competitions and debates are organized to mark the event.

Short Essay on ‘My Favourite Teacher’ (295 Words)

I have studied under many good teachers. I have liked and respected them. I learnt a lot from them. They exercised a deep influence on my character. But the best I have yet come across is Mr. A.K. Mishra. He is my favourite teacher.

He is a teacher of Hindi. I regard him as an ideal teacher. His pupils love and respect him. They are always happy in his company. It is his qualities that have made him so popular. He believes in simple living and high thinking. He wears simple Clothes which are always neat and clean. He has a well-built body. He has never been known to fall ill. The secret of his good health lies in his balanced diet. He is clean in his habits. He avoids all things that are harmful to healthy living. He always looks at the bright side of things. He makes light of his difficulties. He has pleasing manners. His attitude towards his pupils is always sympathetic He welcomes questions from his pupils. He is their friend and guide. 

He knows his subject very well. His pupils and the Principal of the college admire him for his learning. He makes his teaching very interesting. Hindi Grammar is a headache for many students but he teaches it in a very easy way. Even the dullest boy can follow him. He has a keen sense of duty and does not waste a single minute in the class. He keeps his pupils busy. That is why he is able to maintain perfect discipline in his class. He commands obedience from his pupils. He takes a great interest in all the activities of the college. He organizes debates, dramas and annual functions. He is held in great esteem by his old pupils also.
 

Short Essay on ‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy’ (155 Words)

‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy’ was born on 22nd May, 1772 in the village Radhanagar, Hooghly, Bengal, India. His father was Ramkanto Roy, who was a Vaishnavite. His mother’s name was Tarini. Raja Ram Mohan Roy took his higher education at Patna, India. He had learnt several languages as Bangla, Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit only by the age of fifteen.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was against idol worship. After differences with his father, he left the house. Raja Ram Mohan Roy wandered around Himalayas and went to Tibet. He went to Varanasi and studied the Vedas, the Upnishads and Hindu philosphy deeply. He passed away on 27th September, 1833.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the founder of ‘Brahmo Samaj’. He is known as the ‘Maker of Modern India’. He played a major role in abolishing the role of Sati. He was a great scholar and an independent thinker. He was given the title ‘Raja’ by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 

‘National Women’s Day: 13 February’ in India (225 Words)

In India ‘National Women’s Day’ is celebrated on 13th February every year. It is the birthday of Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini Naidu was born on 13th February 1879 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Sarojini Naidu was also known as the ‘Nightingale of India’. This great leader and freedom fighter used to write poems and also sing very well. Sarojini Naidu began writing poems in English while she was still in school. She became a member of the Royal Literary Society London. She also became the President of the Indian National Congress. Sarojini Naidu took active part in the Civil Disobedience Movement, Satyagraha Movement and the Quit India Movement. She was also sent to jail several times. She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress. She was also the first Indian woman to become Governor of any State (Uttar Pradesh) in India. She has left a great name for herself in the History of India. Her birthday is celebrated as ‘National Women’s Day’ in India.

National Women’s Day in India is marked as general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women. On this day many events are held by women’s groups around the country. It is customary for men to give the women in their lives – mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc. – flowers and gifts on this day. 
 

Short Essay on ‘Nelson Mandela’ (294 Words)

‘Nelson Mandela’ was born on July 18th, 1918 in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, then a part of South Africa’s Cape Province. His story symbolizes a lifestyle struggle against apartheid in South Africa. It was a terrible form of institutionalized racism that held the South African society in it’s grip for a long time. It was not easy for Mandela to fight against it, as he too was among those who were oppressed by the system.

Before becoming actively involved in the anti-apartheid struggle, Mandela survived many years of his life as a subject of colonialism. As a child in Africa, Mandela was a victim of the European colonial project which involved ‘civilizing’ indigenous communities by silencing African ways of life in favour of a Euro-centric culture.

In the early 1960’s, Mandela was imprisoned for his stand against the racist laws of the government. He stayed in prison for nearly three decades but refused to compromise his position, which was to fight for justice and equality for all people.

A courageous and uncompromising hero, Mandela was a man of principles, strength and integrity. In 1994, he led the country to the end of apartheid and was elected the first black president of South Africa. He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. After he retired from public life, Mandela continued to embody the hopes and dreams of a free and equal world. He died on December 5th, 2013 at the age of 95 at Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nelson Mandela received more than 250 honours, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Soviet Order of Lenin and the Bharat Ratna. Today, Nelson Mandela, popularly known as ‘Madiba’ in South Africa, is a household name all over the world. 

Short Essay on ‘Mihir Sen’ (138 words)

‘Mihir Sen’ was born on 16th November, 1930 in Purulia, West Bengal, India. His father’s name was Ramesh Sen, who was a physician. His mother’s name was Lilabati. Mihir Sen went on to graduate with a degree in law from the local Utkal University.

Mihir Sen was an Indian swimmer, best known for being the first Asian to swim the English Channel in 1958. He was the first Indian to swim the English Channel in a record time of 14 hours and 45 minutes. He was the first swimmer ever to have crossed the Palk Straits in 1966. He swam across seven seas in five continents. He passed away on 11 June 1997.

For his trend-sitting feats in long-distance swimming, Mihir Sen was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1956 and Padma Bhushan in 1967 by the Government of India. 

‘Letter to your ailing mother inquiring about her health’


Management Boys Hostel
Carol Bagh
New Delhi

January 11, 2014

Dear Mom,

I just came to know from brother that you are not well. I really got worried on hearing this. I wanted to visit you but due to my examinations I am unable to come home. However you keep following the doctor’s instructions and take all the medicines on time. I am sure that you will get well soon.

Pay my regards to father and love to brother.

Yours loving son

‘Letter to a publisher for ordering some books’


House Number- XXX,
Indira Nagar,
Lucknow

January 11, 2014

The Publisher
YMGA Library Building
1 Jai Singh Road
New Delhi

Subject: Placing an order for some books

Dear Sir,

I, hereby, place an order for the supply of the following books to me. Please ensure that the books are in good condition:

(i) Oxford Pathways Coursebook- VIII
(ii) Oxford Pathways Workbook- VIII
(iii) Excellence in Mathematics- VIII
(iv) Learning Elementary Science- VIII

    I am enclosing a cheque of Rs. 500. The final amount will be settled after receipt of the books.

    Thanking You.

    Yours faithfully

         XXX

    ‘Application to the Principal of your school asking him or her to excuse you from attending the school assembly



    13, Chanakyapuri,
    Lucknow

    January 11, 2014

    The Principal
    Central Academy,
    Indira Nagar,
    Lucknow

    Subject: Application for seeking excuse from attending the school assembly

    Respected Ma’am,

    With due respect and regards, I beg to state that I have been feeling unwell for over an hour, so I cannot attend the assembly today.

    Please permit me to stay in the class during the assembly.

    Thanking You.

    Yours sincerely
          XXX
    Class- VIII-A

    ‘Letter to your younger brother asking him to take precautions from junk food’


    Paradise Boys’ Hostel
    M.G. Marg,
    Noida

    12 January, 2014

    Dear Shivam,

    Yesterday I called mother and she told me that your weight is increasing day by day. I really got worried about you as I know that you are very fond of junk food. Though they taste very good but they are very harmful for our body. I would suggest that you take more and more green vegetables and salad as it is very nutritious and will help you to loose your excessive fat.

    I am enclosing a CD with the letter so that you can see the harmful effects of eating junk food and also the exercises which will help you in loosing your weight.

    Yours loving brother
         XXX