NETAJI AND HIS BANDWAGON TODAY ... 1
Everybody clamours for governmental recognition of Netaji and the INA, here demanding his birthday to be dubbed 'Desh Prem Divas', thereby demanding a statue in front of the Red Fort and again campaigning for an INA memorial. I ask them this question : why do you not sacrifice your all for Netaji and the INA and dedicate this life entirely, living as per the ideals of Netaji instead of thus clamouring in the desert of governmental inattention?
It is so easy to shout for justice for Netaji, so difficult to sacrifice a bit for him. This herd instinct in abject ignorance of his life and achievements would hardly merit a place in an INA were it to be formed today. Instead of whole day raising a cacophony thus, it is better to introspect and improve one's human quality so that the nation is served better following the ideals of Netaji.
The attached photo shows the brilliant young Subhas bubbling with idealism for the nation's prospective political liberation and its overall well-being. He was then and thereafter throughout his life highly fired up by the personality and message of Swami Vivekananda. But did he ever clamour for a statue or a temple to be made in memory or honour of his life's hero, the leonine Swami? Did he not instead attempt to comprehend the philosophy of his spiritual master and then adopt it and implement it in his life? Did he not interpret Swamiji's message in patriotic terms and then apply them in real life for the liberation of his motherland? Did he not absorb Swamiji's love for India and translate it into living action by way of his dedication to both his hero and the heroine of his hero's dreams, Mother India? Ponder this and respond in a like manner, O devotee of Netaji. Netaji's cause will then have been served better.
This does not mean that I am not in sympathy with an INA Memorial or a statue of Netaji or even the declaration of Netaji's birthday as 'Desh Prem Divas', although, I must say that I find the name rather unpoetic and lacking in both lyrical and patriotic appeal. Naming may be done, memorials may be raised, statues may be built but constant cacophony by hordes of so-called devotees of Netaji does in no way serve the leader's cause either by way of remembering him in the right manner or paying homage to him in any manner.
What Netaji did for Swamiji, devotees of Netaji ought to do for him. They must build their character, academic and intellectual strength, must hone their respective skills and offer them by way of service to the nation, and in so doing, become worthy citizens who will have made the nation stronger. After all, why did Netaji want to free India? Was it to see a nation in freedom going to the four winds with raucous crowds, representative of devotees that loved and honoured him only by raising negative slogans about everything, ruling the roost? If so, then continue with your tantrums and hope for the best that a chaotic collection of subscribers to indiscipline can achieve? But, if not, then meditate in silence how best to achieve your goals along constructive lines, and once you have arrived at your conclusions, focus your coordinated and disciplined efforts to bringing genuine justice and not its present pretentious show to Netaji and his forgotten army. Jai Hind!
Written by Sugata Bose
Everybody clamours for governmental recognition of Netaji and the INA, here demanding his birthday to be dubbed 'Desh Prem Divas', thereby demanding a statue in front of the Red Fort and again campaigning for an INA memorial. I ask them this question : why do you not sacrifice your all for Netaji and the INA and dedicate this life entirely, living as per the ideals of Netaji instead of thus clamouring in the desert of governmental inattention?
It is so easy to shout for justice for Netaji, so difficult to sacrifice a bit for him. This herd instinct in abject ignorance of his life and achievements would hardly merit a place in an INA were it to be formed today. Instead of whole day raising a cacophony thus, it is better to introspect and improve one's human quality so that the nation is served better following the ideals of Netaji.
The attached photo shows the brilliant young Subhas bubbling with idealism for the nation's prospective political liberation and its overall well-being. He was then and thereafter throughout his life highly fired up by the personality and message of Swami Vivekananda. But did he ever clamour for a statue or a temple to be made in memory or honour of his life's hero, the leonine Swami? Did he not instead attempt to comprehend the philosophy of his spiritual master and then adopt it and implement it in his life? Did he not interpret Swamiji's message in patriotic terms and then apply them in real life for the liberation of his motherland? Did he not absorb Swamiji's love for India and translate it into living action by way of his dedication to both his hero and the heroine of his hero's dreams, Mother India? Ponder this and respond in a like manner, O devotee of Netaji. Netaji's cause will then have been served better.
This does not mean that I am not in sympathy with an INA Memorial or a statue of Netaji or even the declaration of Netaji's birthday as 'Desh Prem Divas', although, I must say that I find the name rather unpoetic and lacking in both lyrical and patriotic appeal. Naming may be done, memorials may be raised, statues may be built but constant cacophony by hordes of so-called devotees of Netaji does in no way serve the leader's cause either by way of remembering him in the right manner or paying homage to him in any manner.
What Netaji did for Swamiji, devotees of Netaji ought to do for him. They must build their character, academic and intellectual strength, must hone their respective skills and offer them by way of service to the nation, and in so doing, become worthy citizens who will have made the nation stronger. After all, why did Netaji want to free India? Was it to see a nation in freedom going to the four winds with raucous crowds, representative of devotees that loved and honoured him only by raising negative slogans about everything, ruling the roost? If so, then continue with your tantrums and hope for the best that a chaotic collection of subscribers to indiscipline can achieve? But, if not, then meditate in silence how best to achieve your goals along constructive lines, and once you have arrived at your conclusions, focus your coordinated and disciplined efforts to bringing genuine justice and not its present pretentious show to Netaji and his forgotten army. Jai Hind!
Written by Sugata Bose
No comments:
Post a Comment