2019 Republic Day: In historic first, Subhash Chandra Bose's INA veterans participate in parade

In a historic first, the Republic Day parade will witness the veterans of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) participating in the majestic parade.

Indian National Army veterans march for very first time on Republic Day Parade - (Source:PTI)

In a historic first, the Republic Day parade witnessed the veterans of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) participating in the majestic parade. The 70th Republic Day parade on January 26, will witness four INA veterans marching down Rajpath in the parade. The proposal was cleared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Indian National Army veterans- Parmanand, Lalit Ram, Hira Singh and Bhagmal who all are above 95 years old shall be seated in jeeps marching down the Rajpath. This is the first time that INA veterans have been invited to be a part of the Republic Day parade. The four veterans, who fought World War II, will be seated in jeeps that will march past Rajpath during the Republic Day parade. The move is being viewed as Modi government's endeavour to give due credit to Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian The move comes days after PM Narendra Modi renamed three islands of Andaman and Nicobar after Subhas Chandra Bose. While the Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island was renamed as Shaheed Dweep. The Havelock Island, on the other hand, was renamed as Swaraj Dweep. "When it comes to the heroes of freedom struggle, we take Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's name with pride. The first prime minister of Azad Hind government Subhas Babu had made India's independence resolution on the soil of Andaman," Modi had said on the occasion on December 30.