Kuala Lumpur : High Commission of India Kuala Lumpur commemorated the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, on 23 January 2022, at Auditorium Tan Sri Soma, Wisma Tun Sambanthan, Kuala Lumpur. The commemoration was part of India@75-AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations,which celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence.
The celebrations were held in partnership with the Netaji Service Centre, Netaji Welfare Foundation, Malaysia-India Heritage Group, Malaysian Bengalee Association and Kelab Rekreasi Abhijaan.
The event began with the inauguration of a photo exhibition on Netaji Subas Chandra Bose by the Chief Guest, YB Tan Sri Dato’ Sri SA.Vigneswaran, PM’s Special Envoy to India and South Asia accompanied by the High Commissioner of India, H.E.Mr. BN Reddy and Heads of partner organisations.The photographs on display in the exhibition were sourced from the Netaji Reasearch Bureau, Kolkata and the Netaji Service Centre and Netaji Welfare Foundation. The exhibition displayed rare pictures of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, including a photograph of Netaji taken in Kuala Lumpur.
High Commissioner in his remarks highlighted the contribution of Netaji to the Indian freedom struggle and his legacy in the Malaysian context. He also elaborated on the efforts of Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to pay tribute to Netaji.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Tan Sri Dato’ Sri SA Vigneswaran, PM’s Special Envoy to India and South Asia, dwelt on Netaji’s and INA’s legacy in Malaysia, including INA’s influence in the formation and shaping of the Malaysian Indian Congress. Appreciating the joint efforts of the High Commission of India in Malaysia, Netaji Service Centreand the Netaji Welfare Foundation in keeping the spirit of Netaji alive in Malaysia, he announced that Malaysian Indian Congress(MIC) would dedicate a monument to Netaji in the party’s new headquarters.
A message from the Grand Nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,Mr. Chandra Kumar Bose was the highlight of the event. INA Veteran and President of Netaji Service Centre LtN Sundram, INA Veteran and Secretary, Netaji Service Centre Mr. SP Narayanasamy, Mr. Ratha Krishnan, President Netaji Welfare Foundation, Mr. Prabhakaran S. Nair, President, Malaysia- India Heritage Group, Ms. Shakuntala from Maitri Group and Ms. Swapna Das, President of the Malaysian Bengalee Association from the partner organisations also addressed the audience.
To commemorate the landmark 125th Birth Anniversary, 125 Tamil School Students were provided financial assistance by the Netaji Welfare Foundation, at the event. Cheques were distributed to a representative group of 20 school students by the Netaji Welfare Foundation.
Malaysian Bengalee Association, Kelab Rekreasi Abhijaan and the Tamil school students showcased a variety of cultural programme as a tribute to Netaji.
Three INA veterans, accompanied by their families were key attendees at the event. The event was attended by approximately 150 people, including members of Netaji Service Centre, Netaji Welfare Foundation, members of various community associations and partner organisations and members from the media.
The proceedings of the celebrations will be shortly available on the official website of the Mission (www.hcikl.gov.in).
