HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA

KUALA LUMPUR

125^th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE

   High Commission of India Kuala Lumpur commemorated the125^th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, on 23 January 2022, at Auditorium Tan Sri Soma, WismaTunSambanthan, Kuala Lumpur. The commemorationwaspart of India@75-AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations,which celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence.

2.  The celebrations were held in partnership with the Netaji Service Centre, Netaji Welfare Foundation, Malaysia-India Heritage Group,Malaysian BengaleeAssociation and KelabRekreasiAbhijaan.

3.  The event began with the inauguration of a photo exhibitionon 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.MrBNReddy 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.

4.  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.

5.  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.

6.  A message from the Grand Nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,MrChandra Kumar Bose was the highlight of the event. INA Veteran and President of Netaji Service Centre LtNSundram, 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, MsShakuntala from Maitri Group and Ms Swapna Das, President of the Malaysian Bengalee Association from the partner organisations also addressed the audience.

7.  To commemorate the landmark 125^th 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.

8.  Malaysian Bengalee Association, KelabRekreasiAbhijaan and the Tamil school students showcased a variety of cultural programme as a tribute to Netaji.

9.  Three INA veterans, accompanied by their families were key attendees at the event.The event was attended by approximately 150 people, includingmembers of Netaji Service Centre, Netaji Welfare Foundation, members of various community associations and partner organisations and members from the media.

10.  The proceedings of the celebrations will be shortly available on the official website of the Mission (www.hcikl.gov.in).

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23 January 2022