Parakram Diwas is not merely remembering Netaji’s valour,it is clarion call for everyone to serve Bharat: VP

BHUBANESWAR: Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, on January 23, called upon every citizen to serve the nation boldly and selflessly, drawing inspiration from the life and ideals of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He was addressing a gathering at the Parakram Diwas celebrations held at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum in Cuttack, Odisha, marking the 129th birth anniversary of the iconic freedom fighter.

Paying heartfelt tributes to Netaji, the Vice-President described him as a “great son of Bharat” whose legacy continues to inspire generations. He said that visiting Netaji’s birthplace was a deeply enriching experience and recalled that Netaji was not only a fearless leader of India’s freedom struggle but also a visionary who had a clear roadmap for the nation’s governance after Independence. Netaji, he said, dreamt of a strong, powerful and poverty-free India rooted in self-reliance, unity and discipline.

Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the Parakram Diwas celebrations at the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Cuttack, Odisha.

Recalling the stirring strains of “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja”, the marching song of the Indian National Army, he said Netaji’s call… pic.twitter.com/vZrlsAfVry

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) January 23, 2026

Recalling the inspirational marching song of the Indian National Army, “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja”, Shri Radhakrishnan said that Netaji’s call for courage and sacrifice remains relevant even today. He urged citizens to resolve collectively to work towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047, drawing strength from Netaji’s ideals of bravery, unity, and unwavering dedication to the motherland.

Highlighting Odisha’s unique civilisational heritage, the Vice-President said the state occupies a special place in India’s historical and cultural journey, where history, spirituality and tradition seamlessly converge. He praised the Odisha Government for its focused efforts in tribal welfare, initiatives to improve the living standards of tribal communities, and sustained infrastructure development across the state. Expressing confidence in Odisha’s future, he said that with continued good governance and inclusive development, the state would soon emerge as one of India’s leading states.

Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the INA Postal Stamp Gallery, Netaji Sanskruti Bhawan and an exhibition organised by the Ministry of Culture at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum, Cuttack.

He said that such initiatives would inspire younger… pic.twitter.com/fqMtuW1Ws4

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) January 23, 2026

Referring to Odisha’s long tradition of resistance against oppression, from ancient times through the freedom movement, the Vice-President said this legacy found a powerful reflection in Netaji’s revolutionary path. The land that safeguarded its identity despite repeated invasions, he observed, deeply understood Netaji’s message that freedom is not achieved through submission, but through courage, unity and resolve.

During the programme, a recorded address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was telecast. The Vice-President noted that the Prime Minister had restored due honour to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by declaring his birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas in 2021 and by renaming Ross Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. He said the Prime Minister’s decisive leadership, fearless vision and unwavering commitment to national security and self-reliance truly embody the spirit of Parakram.

Radhakrishnan emphasised that Parakram Diwas is not merely an occasion to remember Netaji’s valour, but a clarion call for every Indian to act boldly in the service of the nation. He also shared a personal reflection, stating that Netaji’s life story was the first to ignite patriotic fervour in his own heart, inspiring a lifelong commitment to public service and national duty.

As part of the commemorative events, the Vice-President inaugurated the INA Postal Stamp Gallery, an exhibition on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose organised by the Ministry of Culture, and the Netaji Sanskruti Bhawan. Appreciating the efforts of the Odisha Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, he said these initiatives would help younger generations understand the immense sacrifices and hardships endured by freedom fighters to secure India’s independence.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep regret that despite dedicating his entire life to India’s freedom struggle, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s contributions have not received adequate attention in many history books written in the country. He pointed out that although Netaji actively worked in the freedom movement for nearly 25 years, even comprehensive history texts running into hundreds of pages often devote only minimal space to his role and sacrifices.

The Chief Minister remarked that in the process of glorifying certain individuals, contemporary historical narratives have failed to give due recognition to several great revolutionaries. He added that expecting fairness from historians who once labelled martyr Bhagat Singh as a terrorist would be futile.

However, Majhi said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed leadership of the country, sincere efforts have been made to restore due respect to great leaders, eminent personalities and numerous unsung freedom fighters who had been erased from the pages of history. He recalled that in 2021, the Prime Minister declared Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas.

The Chief Minister further noted that on December 30, 2018, Prime Minister Modi honoured Netaji’s historic act of hoisting the Tricolour in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by renaming three islands—Ross Island as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, Neil Island as Shaheed Island, and Havelock Island as Swaraj Island.

The celebrations were attended by several dignitaries, including the Governor of Odisha, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, the Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, the Odisha Minister for Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, the Member of Parliament from Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahtab, and other distinguished guests.