FACEBOOK COMMENTS ... 4

Sugata Bose Uttam Chakravarty No agenda whatsoever save to induce a positive attitude towards work for the flourishing of the national economy and the general health of the polity. As for the 'sleep' element, you may harbour your own notion about me, no harm in that in a democratic polity where freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Sugata Bose Uttam Chakravarty You are mistaken about my identity. I am quite another Sugata Bose who is totally apolitical and unrelated by blood bond to the extended family of Netaji.

Sugata Bose Tapati Bhattacharjee No, by no means, and for the same reason of work being the prime necessity today to bolster our nation in every way.

Sugata Bose Kaunteya Ghosh I have hazarded my opinion for the while. Let others reflect and posit theirs.

Sugata Bose Somnath Mukherjee Good that you stick to the point before diverting. Please read both Nehru and Netaji's Collected Works before arriving at a fixity of judgement. Moreover, my purpose here has been to trigger a discussion and not to rake up a controversy inconsequential. It is good for the polity to discuss and debate fruitfully rather than engage in futile diatribes hurled at each other.

Sugata Bose Madhuchhanda Kanji Your appreciation of my personal profile perfectly exposes the fanatical Netaji follower's fundamental feature. Such a lack of civility is but the sad fate of the hour and such a lack of respect for a fellow human being the degenerate derivative of Netaji-devotion of the current times.

Sugata Bose Madhuchhanda Kanji 'The roads to Delhi are many.' -- Netaji. Do not be presumptuous in your assertions. Having no clue to others' bearings, such spewing of online venom at people articulating contrary view is highly undesirable in civilised society.

Sugata Bose Kaushal Kumar It is not a claim. Just an opinion based on cursory reading and geared at provoking intellectual discussion on the duo. Besides, I am not sure if you object to my proposition that Nehru was morally and spiritually inferior to Netaji.

Sugata Bose Basu Arunanshu The comparison is at all levels with relative merits assigned. So, where lies the contradiction or the supposed conflict?

Sugata Bose Debkumar Chatterjee Your comment is extraneous to the post.

Sugata Bose Abhijitt Mukharjji This sort of a response from you is unwarranted and most unbecoming.

Sugata Bose Somnath Mukherjee That book has not been written by me. I am another Sugata Bose.

Sugata Bose Sameer Banik Disagreement welcome and, so, agreed upon.

Sugata Bose Amitava Das Those were owing to flaws of judging a situation and often owing to infirmity of will. Moral and spiritual strength of a higher order in Nehru would have endowed him with better clarity and judgement to help avert the suicidal mistakes he did make to the unintended detriment of the nation.

Sugata Bose Narain Smita And I hear Nehru could never quite ready himself to face it.

Sugata Bose Narain Smita That is extraneous to the discussion, especially since Netaji's progeny is the point of permanent and problematic debate.

Sugata Bose Narain Smita The DNA test of Anita Pfaff has not been done as yet to prove her lineage and link it indubitably to the Netaji Bose family.

Sugata Bose Narain Smita Subhas Chandra Bose stood 4th in the ICS examination.

Sugata Bose Amlan Basu Wonder of wonders, what has that got to do with the post?

Sugata Bose Aumlān Bishshāsh Mine is a personal opinion based on cursory reading of the literature penned by the duo. Hence, it is not binding on all and needs no evidence to corroborate or confirm. Yours is to agree or to disagree, both being heartily acceptable to me.

Sugata Bose Jaydeep Biswas If sentiments are so silly, shallow and susceptible to souring, it is better that they suffer such hurt to emerge stronger in the sunshine of life and truth.

Sugata Bose Manas Banerjee Your observation, apart from the 'immoral' part, is well worth cogitating and is a luminous highlighting of Netaji's exploits from abroad.

Sugata Bose Somnath Mukherjee What sort of language is this? If abusive, then stay clear of this group.

Sugata Bose Indrakamal Majumdar The 'Pappu' part apart, your observation merits attention.

Sugata Bose Surajit Banerjee The comparison is very pertinent and merits consideration beyond vituperative commenting.

Sugata Bose Saikat Banerjee Nehru was intellectually superior but morally and spiritually inferior to Netaji. That is all that I have said.

Just an opinion based on Nehru's greater adherence to logical rigour when it came to intellectual response to a historical situation of bygone days. Seems to me that his intellectual balance was a shade better and less overcome by passions of the heart to which Netaji was more susceptible.

Sugata Bose Amitesh Chandra I have accepted no favours, none whatsoever. Yet, I have hazarded this opinion for due reasons which I have stated elsewhere in the diverse comment threads to this post. So, your assertion, which is an allegation of sorts, falls flat in terms of factual recording or articulation of truth, at least in the case pertinent to me.


Sugata Bose Maj Gen Gagandeep Bakshi Nehru was intellectually superior but morally and spiritually inferior to Netaji. That is all that I have said.

Just an opinion based on Nehru's greater adherence to logical rigour when it came to intellectual response to a historical situation of bygone days. Seems to me that his intellectual balance was a shade better and less overcome by passions of the heart to which Netaji was more susceptible.

The academic records of Swami Vivekananda are nowhere near Netaji's in terms of excellence. Would it therefore mean that Swamiji was not superior to Netaji in intellectual terms besides being so in spiritual terms as well?

Sugata Bose Rajib Ghosh Why? Are you unhappy that I have said Nehru was morally and spiritually inferior to Netaji? Intellectualism is a lower order of being than spirituality. Hence, where is the objection?

Sugata Bose Rajib Ghosh Where in this post has Nehru been elevated to a level higher than Netaji? Intellectualism refers only to a limited section of the brain and a segmented aspect of the personality? Netaji has been mentioned here clearly as morally and spiritually superior to Nehru and as the preeminent patriot. How could you so overlook these elements of the post and be so fragmented in your understanding of it and in your response thereof? You may not respect me but I respect you.

Sugata Bose Rajib Ghosh I have stated what I have stated and you, like so many others, have failed to pick up the intent and import of my assertion.

Sugata Bose Biswanath Mondal Relative truth is never absolute. So, opinions vary in a thriving intellectual climate which, unfortunately, does not obtain today amidst mass degenerate responses of an ulterior kind the moment anyone widely differs with the majority opinion. This, alas, is the folly of the times and it is time, indeed, that Netaji's memory be rescued from roguish hands intent at destroying every rational analysis of his attributes and attainments. However, intolerant as these diatribes are from so-called followers of Netaji, the rationalisation process will be on as it is the evolutionary imperative that must make its way through a million obstacles that are spread out in its path.

Sugata Bose Only in one point I beg to differ with you, Indrakamal. It is that Netaji actually was quite critical of Nazism in private quarters, although not quite in the open in Germany and was never quite an admirer of Hitler's brutal methods nor an adherent of such. Bose was a revolutionary at heart who was convinced that the British would have to be extricated from India through armed action and was never a votary of either fascism, Nazism or communism in their European connotation and exercise but was rather in alignment with Mustafa Kemal Pasha's mode of governance post the abolition of the Caliphate which he, in some altered form adapted to Indian conditions, temperament and requirement, wished to implement post freedom from the British.

Sugata Bose Definitely not. Learn to be tolerant of contrary opinions and ideas. Else, all that the modern devotees of Netaji will qualify for will be the epithet of the fanatic and the bigot.

Sugata Bose আজাদহিন্দ মুক্তিমঞ্চ Do a little bit of self-analysis and you will get to know the reason, spirit et al.

Sugata Bose Joydip Datta Yes, there is an agenda but nothing secretive about it. The objective is to trigger creative, constructive and critical thinking about the attributes, attitudes and attainments of the freedom fighters irrespective of their historical differences. But the plane has crash-landed like the fabled 18 August one and the intent disappeared in the smoke sent up this time not by the Nehruvians of supposed ill-intent but by the protagonists of the premier patriot himself.

Sugata Bose Tapan Panda It is good to reflect on the contrary narrative sometimes to arrive at a better understanding of even one's long-held cherished notions. Hence, digestion of diverse views is healthful for one's own nervous organisation and ever conducive to a more comprehensive realisation of one's ideas and ideals.

Sugata Bose Prasun Dasgupta Your sense of humour is commendable. It is gentlemen like you who are the spice of a group conversation and keep up its spirits, never allowing it to peter into a dull and insipid collective interaction. Salutations !

Sugata Bose Asok Sadhukhan Really? What a presumption and what a peremptory pronouncement ! Well, your commandment shall be forthwith flouted and the post shall maintain its current and permanent habitat here. It is time to learn peaceful coexistence for it is the urgent need of the hour.

Sugata Bose Sudipta Chowdhary My sympathies.

Sugata Bose Prasenjit Chakraborty New Seek it out yourself for activity is Netaji's message to his followers and a bit of that active spirit in seeking solutions ought to be warranted here as well.

Sugata Bose Pramathesh Das That is a good stance and I heartily endorse such variance.

Sugata Bose Krishnendu Dey Your comment would sound better without that initial bray.

Sugata Bose Krishnendu Dey The aspersion you cast is symptomatic of your intellectual attitude and needs refinement, I hazard to say.

Sugata Bose Jnanojjwal Saha I did not say that Netaji was intellectually inferior to Nehru. I had rather put it the other way and had said that Nehru was intellectually superior but morally and spiritually inferior to Netaji and that Netaji was the preeminent patriot. This sort of segmentation of the several aspects of the post does it the disservice of a fractured and fractional appreciation of its overall significance and robs it of the proper perspective that ought to adorn the criticism of a critical observation. Anyhow, these are personal perceptions that arise from one's readings of relevant literature and do continuously evolve and alter in quite often alternate terms. Therefore, detailed deliberation on the issue must wait. Till then, Jnanojjwal Babu, patience will be a virtue in fruitful future expectancy and not in futile wait, I assure you. And as I said, perceptions that are caused by immediate influences of the hour change when the hour is gone as fresh discoveries are made that renew understanding in an altered light. So, hang on for the while while the wine matures in the brewery of the times.

Sugata Bose Pinaki Madhab Bhattacharya In a very personal judgemental sense that is neither fixed nor fixated but is right now the perception of the hour. So far as the 'bloody ' element you have invoked quite in contrast to the Vedic invocation of the elements of Nature, I would like to aver that Netaji's struggle for freedom is all about that to which you have scarce contributed anything beyond spilling unrestrained expletives and spewing so much venom with it. And for good measure let me add by way of humble submission that neither have I spilled any blood for the cause of freedom in so many terms, and, so, we in our common failing remain sympathetic siblings at that.

Sugata Bose Pinaki Madhab Bhattacharya Read all the comments that I have made in this post, not merely in this particular thread, but in the entire set pertinent to the post. Hopefully, you will get some inkling of my ideas related to the relevant comparison which, for want of sufficient rational response from the readers, has gone largely astray as is the wont these days of fanatical interaction.

Sugata Bose Pinaki Madhab Bhattacharya Your emotions are well worth all the wealth of the world but they must be channelled fruitfully to provide the motive-force for research and discovery of the many unknown facets of Netaji's life which need now to see the light of day.

Sugata Bose Jnanojjwal Saha At last a real follower of Netaji comes to the fore and strikes a sympathetic chord redolent of those greener days when revolution was in the heart that felt, in the mind that beat to the tune of freedom and in the soul that soared to the highest heavens Savitri-like to bring to earth the elixir of freedom from the shackles of death and despair in impairing bondage.

Sugata Bose Jnanojjwal Saha I have already provided with a pertinent feedback. Note my response to Maj Gen Gagandeep Bakshi. Just search for it in the comment threads with due diligence and you will find it. On my personal profile see a similar response to Avijit Banerjee. These will provide some clues to my line of thinking which is fluid, nonetheless, and is not at all fixed or fixated on anything dogmatic. I rather find the opposition to Gandhi-Nehru rather fanatically ferocious among the current tribe of devotees of Netaji.

Sugata Bose Jnanojjwal Saha The answers being hastily jotted down are neither elaborate nor comprehensive nor are they replete with relevant references but could serve to be pointers to what I have intended to mean in this post. Hence, your exertion in this regard may not be entirely futile.

Sugata Bose Krishnendu Dey Bravo ! You noticed the intellectual comparison but failed to observe the latter moral and spiritual comparison. What sort of a partitioned perception on your part is this?

Sugata Bose Manas Banerjee My post has been segmented by readers and only the part relating to the relative intellectual attitude of the duo has been isolated and commented upon. This sort of fracturing its elemental content robs the criticism of perspective and reduces it to so much of a disbalanced dialogue that deliberation is somewhat futile further on. I have observed much more in favour of Netaji's superiority in terms of character and overall personality bearings by implication which seems to have eluded the attention of casual observers by the cartloads. Should you choose to be deemed a serious observer of the post, do pay attention to the latter part of it where Nehru has been assigned inferior status morally and spiritually to Netaji and legitimately so. Nehru's balanced rational approach and his scientific temper in approaching historical issues in a far more elegant style than Netaji's as evident in his 'Discovery of India' and 'Glimpses of World History ' has influenced my judgement for the while in favour of him. It is merely an observation that merits consideration and is not an absolute pronouncement as such, for who am I to pass a final verdict on any of these seminal greats of the past who toiled in their own ways for the liberation of the motherland?

Sugata Bose Manas Banerjee I do appreciate what you say. Historical chronicling is one and responding to the exigencies of the times and making history in the process another. Which is why I have assigned higher moral and spiritual status to Bose who altered Indian and world history in the course of his climactic career as opposed to Nehru who capitulated to circumstantial pressure. It is spirituality that eventually shapes history, which is its outer material outcome, and not intellectual output in rational but relatively feebler terms. Hence, Nehru's greater intellectual balance in his appreciation and appraisal of events historical as evident in his writings need not be construed as Netaji's failing. Rather, Nehru's intellectual superiority would be akin to Tagore's greater rational balance relative to Swamiji's which in no way denies the volcanic Vivekananda preeminence over the poet otherwise.

Sugata Bose Manas Banerjee You are right. Tagore and Vivekananda are seminal greats in their own right and so are Nehru and Bose. Then why this anathema against Nehru? Why like Duryodhana not yield even an inch to the Pandavas when all that Krishna had bargained was but five villages from a vast kingdom, the parallels you, for sure, quite comprehending in this regard?

Sugata Bose Joydip Datta How slanted your observation is ! I have explained in various threads my position. If you can spare time and mental resource to scan through, kindly go ahead. Attending separately to each observation is problematic, especially when the critics have preformed suppositions of their own.

Sugata Bose Subhas Chanda Yes, right you are and it is this element of European balanced rationality in Nehru's writings that I have intended to stress on in my observation pertinent to the post which, of course, owing to the reverse order of popular emotionalism prevailing, has miscarried its content in the minds of the masses.

Sugata Bose Subhas Chanda But these are the fallout of 18th-20th century history which has seen the progressive rise of the proletariat in its leftist leanings. The rightist movement they would term reactionary and the negative outcome of dialectical dynamics. The thesis and the antithesis will necessarily be followed by the synthesis, though, and the historical process will continue indefinitely with fresher challenges thrown up and sprayed in its path, quickening fresher responses.

Sugata Bose Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya Disagreement honoured, accepted and agreed upon. Jai Netaji!

Sugata Bose Not too sure about the number of Nehrus that would eventually equalise one Netaji, if at all they will, for they may be quantum leaps apart which may not be in the realm of possibility for such quantum Nehrus to pull off, but am sure that Netaji did fare far better throughout in his academic career vis-a-vis Nehru and the rest of the freedom fighters which ought to place him intellectually above them and Nehru for that matter. But the reference in the post when elucidated would have read that Nehru's intellectual approach was very much European and restrained by rational rigour rather than emotional considerations to which Netaji was often prone in at least ordinary recorded deliberations. Both, however, stand tall in their respective literary accomplishments, their written books [ref. 'The Discovery of India' and 'Glimpses of World History' in Nehru's case and 'The Indian Struggle' in Netaji's] remaining masterpieces in their genre. Hence, there is not much to choose between them and it remains individual perception as to who would outshine who. For my sake, I find Nehru's lyrical literary style shades superior to Netaji's more prosaic presentation.

Sugata Bose Sarasij Majumder You have a point. Appreciate.

Sugata Bose Endorse your view to a large extent. However, the entire body of comment dispersal of this post would show me up in the light I have understood this element of their intellectual make-up and help clarify my position regarding the same.

Sugata Bose What an exhibition of articulate civility ! Alas, such is the fate of a vast number of fanatical followers of Netaji these days. The hero must be disappointed beyond measure to behold the fallen state of his countrymen these days.

Sugata Bose See the rejoinder above.

Sugata Bose Subhadeep Banerjee Just an opinion based on Nehru's greater adherence to logical rigour when it came to intellectual response to a historical situation of bygone days. Seems to me that his intellectual balance was a shade better and less overcome by passions of the heart to which Netaji was more susceptible.

Sugata Bose Subhadeep Banerjee Read the post properly and see that you have actually agreed with me in this respect.

Sugata Bose I see. So, you seem to say that the books written by Nehru which, in your opinion, have been well-written were not products of his intellect but were products of some other element of his personality.

Sugata Bose Sunil Bhowmik I agree with you. Why only Nehru? Netaji was in many respects superior to Gandhiji as well. But we must critically analyse and save our judgement from the more turbulent passions of the heart. Hence, these contrary considerations are necessary to keep alive the scientific temper in the land. Else, intellectual discourse will diminish to its vanishing point and democracy degenerate to lawless popular culture.

Sugata Bose Judgement is always personal and varies from person to person and from time to time. Sometimes it does seem to me as now that Nehru's writings indicate a greater rational approach to issues than Netaji's, although, it must be said that Netaji's perceptions are very incisive and articulations sometimes prophetic. But overall I feel that he is swayed by emotions more than pure reason and that is what I have tried to highlight here in comparison to Nehru's relatively greater rational composure vis-a-vis Netaji. This is merely a perception that may change with greater reading and understanding -- for my readings thus far have been sporadic, sprayed and cursory -- and then I will have to amend my aforesaid stance. But the vehemence with which one aspect alone of the post has been isolated and countered sends a strong current of suspicion that it is a blind hate of Nehru that prompts such diatribe and not any pure adoration of the premier among patriots. Such fanatical repudiation of contrary opinion is unwholesome for a democratic polity and such blind adulation of Netaji is also not reflective of genuine following of the hero's principles and precepts.

Sugata Bose Sattyasrayee Bose Fourth in ICS. Comparisons may be odious but are, nonetheless, necessary to keep the democratic discourse alive, the intellectual climate of a polity throbbing. However, my opinion in this post is only a conjecture and not a confirmed finality of affirmation. I also think that there other dimensions to the discussion that needs deliberation before a comprehensive understanding be arrived at regarding the relative merits of the duo.

Sugata Bose Randeep Bhattacharya You mean high moral character, is it not?

Sugata Bose Souradeep Subhash Chakraborty ICS, not ISC.

Sugata Bose Shyamadas Mukherjee Comparisons, although they are odious, must continue to keep the discourse vibrant. Only then the people's slumber will break and the nation activate energetically unto a brighter future.

Sugata Bose Not too sure about the number of Nehrus that would eventually equalise one Netaji, if at all they will, for they may quantum leaps apart which may not be in the realm of possibility for such quantum Nehrus to pull off, but am sure that Netaji did fare far better throughout in his academic career vis-a-vis Nehru and the rest of the freedom fighters which ought to place him intellectually above them and Nehru for that matter. But the reference in the post when elucidated would have read that Nehru's intellectual approach was very much European and restrained by rational rigour rather than emotional considerations to which Netaji was often prone in at least ordinary recorded deliberations. Both, however, stand tall in their respective literary accomplishments, their written books [ref. 'The Discovery of India' and 'Glimpses of World History' in Nehru's case and 'The Indian Struggle' in Netaji's] remaining masterpieces in their genre. Hence, there is not much to choose between them and it remains individual perception as to who would outshine who. For my sake, I find Nehru's lyrical literary style shades superior to Netaji's more prosaic presentation.between them and it remains individual perception as to who would outshine who. For my sake, I find Nehru's lyrical literary style shades superior to Netaji's more prosaic presentation.

Sugata Bose Endorse your view to a large extent. However, the entire body of comment dispersal of this post would show me up in the light I have understood this element of their intellectual make-up and help clarify my position regarding the same.

Sugata Bose Sumit Chandra Well, Sumit Chandra, it will be a long story yet to retell all that I have already recounted about my position in the pertinent comment threads to this post, and, so, I desist. This post was meant to be a trigger for thinking on the duo rather than engage in continuous casual glorification of Netaji in irrational and ultra-effusive terms that bear neither semblance to truth nor to history but are simply so much frothy articulation tantamount to nothing substantial. The intent being to attract attention to a more serious relative estimate of the duo in Nehru and Netaji, you are right in that regard. However, if your remark is aimed at me, then I must submit that I have no such intention of securing cheap publicity at the expense of Netaji. So far as my estimate of Nehru's intellectual calibre is concerned, you may scan through the threads to see where I stand. But there are other dimensions to the discussion which I believe in a polity of declining rationality and degenerating norms of civility where diatribe dominates deliberation and dialogue, and irrational output increases by the hour, historical misrepresentations owing to lack of intellectual clarity and paucity of knowledge will hinder their seeing the light of day in social media. Hence, such deliberations are best kept for saner audiences who have the clarity of intellectual conception to comprehend the full import of a post and do not partition it to suit personal grudges spewing through vituperative articulation.

Sugata Bose It is so curious that only one aspect of the post has been commented upon while the rest of the post has wept in the wilderness. Surely, this is a sad reflection on the quality of response that is generally quickened online these days. No one seems to be bothered about the affirmative aspects of the post and have been only hell-bent to deliver the deathblow to Nehru. Must Netaji ever live thus in retrograde observations on his adversaries or will he resurrect in the minds of his devotees in more positive terms independent of carping criticism of others? Must the deeds of Netaji not be more emphasised instead of denigrating his colleagues in the Congress with whom he was in ideological variance?

Sugata Bose Joydip Datta Bravo! Brilliant answer.

Sugata Bose Good, good, Ronita. Keep the discussion up, especially on the Netaji group page. Such deliberation and contrary discourse enlivens us more to the truths that are otherwise buried deep and forgotten.

Sugata Bose Subhadeep Banerjee Just an opinion based on Nehru's greater adherence to logical rigour when it came to intellectual response to a historical situation of bygone days. Seems to me that his intellectual balance was a shade better and less overcome by passions of the heart to which Netaji was more susceptible.

Sugata Bose Subhadeep Banerjee Read the post properly and see that you have actually agreed with me in this respect.

Sugata Bose Sudip Mukherjee Right, but there are other angles to the general discussion regarding this post.

Sugata Bose I see. So, you seem to say that the books written by Nehru which, in your opinion, have been well-written were not products of his intellect but were products of some other element of his personality.

Sugata Bose Sunil Bhowmik I agree with you. Why only Nehru? Netaji was in many respects superior to Gandhiji as well. But we must critically analyse and save our judgement from the more turbulent passions of the heart. Hence, these contrary considerations are necessary to keep alive the scientific temper in the land. Else, intellectual discourse will diminish to its vanishing point and democracy degenerate to lawless popular culture.

Sugata Bose Judgement is always personal and varies from person to person and from time to time. Sometimes it does seem to me as now that Nehru's writings indicate a greater rational approach to issues than Netaji's, although, it must be said that Netaji's perceptions are very incisive and articulations sometimes prophetic. But overall I feel that he is swayed by emotions more than pure reason and that is what I have tried to highlight here in comparison to Nehru's relatively greater rational composure vis-a-vis Netaji. This is merely a perception that may change with greater reading and understanding -- for my readings thus far have been sporadic, sprayed and cursory -- and then I will have to amend my aforesaid stance. But the vehemence with which one aspect alone of the post has been isolated and countered sends a strong current of suspicion that it is a blind hate of Nehru that prompts such diatribe and not any pure adoration of the premier among patriots. Such fanatical repudiation of contrary opinion is unwholesome for a democratic polity and such blind adulation of Netaji is also not reflective of genuine following of the hero's principles and precepts.

Sugata Bose Sabyasachi Das Beautifully said it. So sensitive and original an approach to the entire issue. Commendations.

Sugata Bose Ghosh Gorachand But why must Gandhiji be treated as war criminal?

Sugata Bose Raj Sarkar Social dynamics have their way of progress adulation followed by progressive oblivion of men tainted with the slightest self-interest. But the seminal ones who sacrifice their all for humanity, even if forgotten soon after their eminence, surface again to conquer the hearts and minds of men, a phenomenon we are witnessing in the case of Netaji and one which with Netaji's revival we will soon witness in the case of the other great revolutionaries as well such as Rash Behari Bose, Bagha Jatin, Masterda Surjya Sen and the like.

The question arises as to why near oblivion occurs, even if for a while, in the case of superlative souls like Netaji? These 'choice and master spirits of the age', soon after their disappearance from the terrestrial realm of action, dive, as it were, into the subliminal levels of human consciousness and memory to lapse into apparent nullity before springing anew with increased vigour and relevance when circumstances are propitious. Such is the law of life, the modus operandi of Nature in its collective dynamics with the preeminent individual of singular merit at the focus of human evolution.

Sugata Bose Abhisek Metya But not all of them could measure up to the stature of Gandhiji, is it not?

Sugata Bose Uttam Kumar Mondal Thank you for mentioning Rash Behari Bose along with Netaji for the act of liberating us from colonial shackles. He is more often than not forgotten by overzealous modern devotees of Netaji who merely aver Netaji as the 'liberator of India'. That you think and talk otherwise comes as a welcome relief.

Sugata Bose Tamoghna Das Sharma This, as I have said so many times now, is not my fixed position regarding the matter but is an idea that sometimes flips through my mind, and, hence, I took to sharing it with all, hoping in the process to trigger off a discussion along such lines of relative attributes. It was merely a move aimed at eliciting responses but failed miserably to draw positive comparisons between the duo that would have merited better intellectual understanding regarding the issue. As such what ensued, as even in your observation, was the utter dislike of Nehru by a vast cross-section of the polity to the utter disregard of the comprehensive content of the post. Mere ranting does not make for analytical study of an issue nor does it show these modern devotees of Netaji in a good light, especially, since most are literate human beings and ought to exhibit a modicum of self-restraint in speech while pointing out pertinent facts. If this attitude of vehemence in verbal enunciation to be deemed an attribute ahead of what the leader himself chose to indulge in, then I am afraid he is being unwittingly projected in a rather poor light. A rational attitude would have been to counter point by point and not to cherry-pick the earlier part of the post alone to the neglect of the rest of it and then to let out venom on Nehru. Great men like Netaji have left to posterity a better legacy than the legatees today care to receive. What more shall I say than to regret this loss of perspective among the polity today and the shameful attitude of freelancing vengeance online on the personalities of the past who for good or for ill have shaped the history of this glorious motherland of ours?

Sugata Bose Perhaps, your honour, sometimes this servant of thine !

Sugata Bose Rash Behari Bose, the architect of our motherland's freedom whose revolutionary activity spanned five decades and careered through two World Wars.

Sugata Bose Jeevesh Saini But only ten persons could have been selected in a list of ten. Anyhow, my thankfulness to you for suggestion of the said name.

Sugata Bose Shubhankar SenGupta You are right. But every attempt at remembering these revolutionaries in some way or the other triggers fresh response, fresh reflection and a renewed reading into their lives.

Sugata Bose Shubhankar SenGupta Start it in a well-reasearched well-written post. We will comply.

Sugata Bose Debkanti Moitra The numbering has nothing to do with their relative merits or their revolutionary contributions to the cause of the motherland's freedom. It is simply an enumeration with no bearing whatsoever on their relative significance in the struggle for freedom.

Sugata Bose Ashis Banerjee Read my response above and arrive at a more informed understanding.

Sugata Bose Thank you Debasish for posting this piece of intimate revelation on Subhas by his foster-mother Basanti Devi.

Sugata Bose Comparisons are necessary to highlight Netaji's incomparable stature. Hence, the comparison.

Sugata Bose If Gandhiji is not given his due, it will be a travesty of history and the subsequent INA thrust by Netaji will lose the massive base at home that history would deem as necessary to establishing the rationale of the whole armed struggle by the patriot premier from abroad.

Sugata Bose Albert Einstein and Romain Rolland were two of the premier intellectuals of the world then, both of whom raised their voices against the tyranny of the times masquerading as people's liberation movements, most notorious amongst them being fascism, Nazism, communism and colonialism. It is historically of seminal significance that both Bose and Nehru chose to write monumental treatises on India during those tumultuous days when the demarcating lines of sanity were getting increasingly blurred amid the cloud of conflicting interests of the colonising powers and the colonised peoples of the world. That both Bose and Nehru could still maintain sanity and write dispassionate accounts of their subjects in their respective works is a tribute to their intellectual clarity, their rational temper and objectivity, traits rare among politicians immersed in the thick of the battle they choose to describe. In this regard Nehru and Bose are not only contemporaries and colleagues but collaborators in the common cause of the liberation of vaster humanity from the shackles of imperialism and its dirty derivative in colonialism.

Sugata Bose Write more on this, Bhaskar, in your delightfully dramatic diction so that the contrast comes out clearer in the minds of mortals like us who drink in those honeyed words of yours like parched pilgrims desperate for that one elixir of life, water.

Sugata Bose The post was aimed at triggering discussion about the relative merits of the duo which it has partly achieved and partly failed miserably. In these days of declining intellectualism, it was felt necessary to stir up renewed thinking about matters long lost, dead and buried, so that fresh life is infused into the fresh blood that form the body politic of the polity today. But, unfortunately, the emotions ran high, often on legitimate grounds and oftener on irrational assumptions of the author's motivations and ill-informed stances on history. Anyhow, Netaji stands vindicated at the end of it as the preeminent patriot, philosopher and prophet of nationalism, looming head and shoulders high above his compatriots, colleagues and contestants in the Congress and in the common cause of freedom where divergences were large in methods and means employed, and the consequences, anticipated and arrived unannounced, in relative destructive deliverance incalculably larger. Posts such as these are to be welcomed, debated, discussed and deliberated on so that a thriving intellectual climate ensues among the fanatical followers of seminal figures and personality does not degenerate principle in a manner that the very person is lost in the resulting babble.

Sugata Bose Shubhankar SenGupta Indeed, Netaji is peerless and perennially embedded in the hearts of all Indians. His popularity is everywhere in India and his following bordering on fanatical worship, in the positive sense, though, I mean here.

Sugata Bose Shivay Ashutosh No, as i said earlier and which, perhaps, you have failed to either notice or to get the significance of, this post was primarily meant to elicit sufficient response from the polity in terms of a fruitful dialogue, discussion, deliberation, call it what you will, on the relative attributes at these two compatriots of the freedom struggle, who, before they parted ways post Tripuri, were very much working in close parlance within the Congress. That the discussion did not take off along the due trajectory expected is not the folly of the post but that of the polity which so easily resorts to vituperative interactions instead of civilised and reasonable debate. This, however, is ever the fate of fanatical adulation of personality to the utter neglect of principle despite pious protestation to the contrary. Love centred on an individual beyond rational bounds -- and love ever is unreasonable, we know -- is bound to boomerang on the personality who is is at its focus, for the message of the person will be lost and blind adulation degenerate to cacophonous babble. Thus, the very object is lost in the melee of sounds that meaning nothing and the civic discourse remains as barren as ever much to the detriment of the cause of resurrection of the hero from the worn and withered pages of history. When the polity is so involved in blind adulation, it is worthwhile that galvanic shocks are given periodically to activate the sleeping masses from their irrational inertia and engage them in attempted more fruitful discussion than has resulted this time. Moreover, it seems that like the mosquito must sit on the puss of a wound in an otherwise healthy body, the general populace today will only react when they find an element in a post to pounce upon. Else, it is eternally the stereotypical responses on pious adulation and no interaction intellectual whatsoever. And this is sad, indeed. Regarding your other question as to what the parameters of intellectualism are, you must find them out yourself as I must do the same myself. For these are individual searches that will satisfy and not inputs fed by others. One more point. I do not think that Netaji is below any of the ones you have here mentioned in Gandhiji, Azad or Ambedkar in intellectual terms. Hence, I have bracketed him with Nehru, considering the fact that both were compatriots, leftists believing with minor variations in the common cause of socialism and both having authored books in the 1930s on India contemporary and India past, as in their respective cases. Hence, their proximity and distance in ideology and political action, literary output and intellectual attitudes called for a good enough cause for a highly enthralling comparison which, alas, for want of understanding among devotees was aborted and never saw the light of life. But the case stands and I hope to study more and draw such comparisons and contrasts in the future for sure. Till then patience will be my enduring point even as I keep on kindling attention to these issues to ignite fresh appreciation of issues forgotten but not festering quite, for they are the primrose promises of yesteryear beckoning us yet unto fresher pasture that merely call for our labour of love to yield its harvest, holy and heretical, for our history has not been chronicled the way it ought to have been.

Sugata Bose Thank you, Parashuram Purushottam, for taking the pains to post this list of twenty greatest freedom fighters of your choice. One thing, though. There is not a single female revolutionary like Pritilata Waddedar or Kalpana Dutta, Leela Roy or Durgavati Devi or any other for that matter in this which is ironical for such a large list. Anyhow, commendations for your wonderful exercise and the boldness to respond to my request made to a member earlier to come up with his own list in which he could include Chittaranjan Das as he had thought I ought to have done in my published list.

Sugata Bose Brilliant answer and such a succinctly worded one that encapsulates the whole issue in a few words. I have waited for such responses for long in this post and at last one has surfaced that has won my admiration and regard. Thank you, Amitesh Chandra, for such a concise, clear and cogent answer that goes to the heart of the matter and reveals the lustre of the seminal soul that Netaji was in such articulate terms, rational, civilised and incisive. Do continue to interact thus and help enliven proceedings on this group page for the benefit of all and sundry. Jai Hind !

Sugata Bose Parashuram Purushottam You have your point for sure but others, perhaps, will answer you better than I possibly can venture to do. Other members, better informed than me, will draw upon their reserves of historical knowledge and throw greater light upon the personalities listed in this post and bring in their constructive criticism to embellish the same. This I entertain as my fondest hope, for only then will this group page deliver duly on its promises made at its inception years ago.

Sugata Bose Thank you, Diganta, for quick approval of my post in your group. Hope to highlight more such aspects of the hero's life in the near future and, with your energetic participation, will be able to stir up quite a fervour in the hearts of men regarding the liberator of India who, alas, is still not well understood in all his multidimensional aspect and remains the focus of either fanatical adulation without substance beyond spewing venom at other seminal greats of the freedom struggle which does incalculable harm to the cause of the resurrection of the revolutionaries from the gloom of historical oblivion, or easy neglect by motivated mercenaries chronicling history who care not to record the true story of the freedom movement beyond what their pecuniary interests demand them to do. And yet another section of Communist historians regard Netaji as enemies to their cause and spare no means to marginalise his contributions to the cause of India's freedom. But through all such politics weaved round him, the hero rises like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes and with his own energy that he had embedded in the heart of future consciousness, he rises resplendent to take charge of the national destiny like Partha led by Parthasarathi ages ago. And here the Partha is Netaji himself and Parthasarathi Swami Vivekananda, his Guru, his God, his soul, his everything.

Sugata Bose Why is this post free of comment other than my initial one? Is my comment acting as a deterrent to further commenting and interaction thereof?

Sugata Bose Ranajeet IDutta Provoke 'right thinking' as the Buddha or the Tathagata had enjoined us to do. 'Right thinking', you very well know, is one of the pillars of the 'Ashtamargam Path' or the 'Eight Fold Path'.

Sugata Bose Ranajeet IDutta I leave the stage for you to do it. I do more than a man's capacity, in not so rationally rigorous terms, so to say. Now you take over the baton and carry on the charge.

Sugata Bose You have hammered home the point.

Sugata Bose Reprehensible comment. Derogatory words let out against Gandhiji do not do justice to Netaji's greatness. Rather, they show him a poorer light as Gandhiji's devotees and followers can be quick to claim that this, after all, is the legacy of the leader who the world knows by the honorific, Netaji. Since that is not the truth and that Netaji shines peerless in the firmament of the freedom movement, it is better to not sully his reputation by reverse flow of such character aspersion cast against the likes of Gandhiji who in their own right occupy elevated places in the hearts and minds of millions despite their differences with the hero of epic proportions who effectively liberated India. Comparisons are dubbed odious but I would say that they are necessary when well meant and are done to highlight relative features, facets, attributes and aspects of cooperative and conflicting contemporaries ion the common cause of freedom from colonial consequences. But to spew venom against these historical greats while articulating one's misgivings against them for their lapses in the treatment they meted out to Netaji would be folly and a failure to comprehend the larger aspect of this our endeavour to resurrect the revolutionaries from historical oblivion. I, therefore, exhort all not to engage in vituperative expression of discontent which can better be articulated and with greater effectiveness and audience reach through civilised discourse that stoops not so low. I hope I am understood in the correct light and not thought to be providing supercilious advice from a pedestal. Remember that I am one with you all in our common cause of service to Netaji and his compatriots who gave their all for us so that we would today be enjoying freedom even as they then bled for it.